Marilyn Helen Perry

Marilyn Helen Perry, 86, of Akron, Ohio died at 8:32 AM, August 14, 2023 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. Marilyn and daughter, Lynne, traveled to see Marilyn’s best friend and long-time family friends when just before leaving to return home to Ohio, Marilyn became ill. Upon admission to the hospital, it became clear that she had aspirated bacterial pneumonia. At the recommendation of the doctor, Marilyn chose to reverse her DNR and go on a ventilator so that the ICU team could treat her illness. After seven days on a ventilator, her heart was slowing down. At the time of her death, her son, Andrew (Karla), niece, Jennifer (Mike) were present via phone and by her side was her daughter, Lynne, along with Sharon & Dave Smith and their daughter, Michele Scheetz. Marilyn was not in pain and opened her eyes right before she died.

Marilyn was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Riverside High School where she was active in music and worked at Carol Steven’s Women Clothing Store. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Marilyn started her career as a buyer in better dresses at Styx Bauer & Fuller in St. Louis, Missouri. Because of her love for books, she went back for an Associate Degree in Library Science at Florissant Valley Community College so that she could work in a library which she did for the next 20 years. To round out her work-life, Marilyn worked part-time as an assistant in a legal office for a number of years before parking and walking in downtown St. Louis proved to be tiring.

Marilyn met her future spouse, Doyle in St. Louis. Doyle & Marilyn were married on July 9, 1961. They were members of Living Christ Lutheran Church in Florissant, MO for 58 years and members of Faith Lutheran Church in Akron, OH since 2022. They lived in one house in Florissant, MO for 56 years until moving to Ohio in 2020 to be closer to their children.

Marilyn was equal parts smart, funny and caring with that caring focused on her family, friends and causes that were dear to her. She had an understated, dry wit and a sense of comedic timing that rivaled her husband Doyle, except Marilyn chose her words very carefully and tended to be a bit more pithy. Marilyn’s “zingers” were usually five words or fewer. Of all her joys, books topped the list. Reading was her daily passion, and she was in the same book club for 50 years. Her first favorite place to read a book was in bed each day and her second favorite place was sitting next to Sharon on the beach of Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The tradition of Smith/Perry family beach vacations started in 1977 and wrapped up in 2017. Marilyn kept the U.S. Post Office in business by writing thank you notes almost weekly, (even to her next-door neighbors in Akron) sending postcards while on a trip and writing weekly to her dear friend Sharon. She loved traveling, especially by car. Exploring England and visiting the United States parks, monuments, historic sites and Presidential Libraries, and First Lady Memorials were some of her favorites. She especially enjoyed the gift shops and was always eager to support local artists. Marilyn enjoyed cooking and made sure she and Doyle ate a well-rounded healthy meal each evening followed by watching Jeopardy.

Marilyn was a member of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Missouri Historical Society. She supported a number of organizations including the Democratic Party, Emily’s List, NOW, Wounded Warriors, Doctors Without Borders, ACLU, and The Institute for Peace & Justice to name a few.

In the early 1970’s Marilyn, Sharon (her best friend) and eight others started a Civil Rights Group called “Action Against Apathy” because they were concerned about institutional racism. Her fight for justice was never-ending. Across the miles Marilyn stayed connected with this group.

Marilyn will be missed, mightily, and her legacy lives on in her family, countless friends and the many people whose lives she touched.

She is survived by her two children, Andrew (Karla) Perry and Lynne (Jason) Poulton, sister-in-law Susan Sering, niece Jennifer (Michael) Gilbert, grand-niece Sophie Gilbert, grand-nephew Simon Gilbert, Michael Sering (Linda), extended family and many dear friends.

Marilyn was cremated in Fort Collins, CO. A Memorial Service and interment of ashes for Marilyn will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairlawn, Ohio on Saturday, September 9th, 2023. Calling hours at 10AM, service at 11 AM followed by a lunch in the fellowship hall at the church. Check the Faith Lutheran Church Facebook page for possible livestream option.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Emily’s List or the organization of your choice.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle D. Perry, her brother, Richard E. Sering, and her parents, Edward L. Sering and Dorothy J. Sering.