Marilyn E. Horning

”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7

Marilyn E. Horning, 91, passed away February 28, 2015. Marilyn was born in Seattle, Wash., on September 8, 1923 and has been a resident of the Randolph area since 1950. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Marcus; mother, Ethel Ford Pinckston; father, Alfred Pinckston; sister, Ruth Debritz and her brother, Don Seeger. Marilyn is survived by her brother, Eugene, her children, John (Susan) Horning, Ginger (Phillip) Swansinger, Matthew (Cindy) Horning, Douglas (Karen) Horning and Mary Ruth McNabb; grandchildren, Sarah, Andrew, Michael, Emily, Megan, Rachael, Daniel, Allison, Lisa, Edward, Nicholas, Marcus, Abby, Will, Doug and Claire; great grandchildren, Michael, Joselyn, Braxton, Lucy, Dahlia, and one on the way; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Marilyn has left a legacy of faith, mercy and charity. She loved and accepted everyone for who they were. She was not a person to judge, only to want what is best and what is right. Her selfless giving was evident in the way she cared for her invalid husband at home for 28 years, never seeking her own comfort. Marilyn was baptized into the Catholic Church at the age of 25. She read deeply about the faith and was devoted to Jesus and the Blessed Virgin. She attended daily Mass as long as she was able and ‘prayed without ceasing’ until her death.

Over the years she gave of herself without reservation. Her causes were varied and eclectic, just like herself, ranging from the Pro Life movement to Prison Ministry and Native American causes. She combined her love of flowers and the Blessed Virgin by taking care of the flower beds at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Saint Joseph for many years. She also did other community flower beds in the Randolph/Suffield area. She was well-known and loved as a Waterloo school bus driver and took personal interest in all of her “kids” remembering and teasing them through the years. She was ahead of her time in many ways but most notably in her own practice of and insistence that all of us “reduce, reuse and recycle.” She was also well known for her colorful sense of style especially her flamboyant hats.

The family will receive friends Thursday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Avenue (Route 532), MOGADORE, Ohio 44260, Thursday, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., where a Wake Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2643 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260, with Father Thomas Acker, S.J. presiding. Procession will originate at the church. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church, the church and community that she dearly loved. Marilyn loved color so in her honor consider wearing your brightest, most colorful clothes to her visiting and funeral.