Marilyn Joy Whitman

Born into an artistic household, Marilyn excelled in music and dance and was a gifted sculptor. While playing in the Teaneck High School Orchestra, she met her future husband, Merill Gellis.

The couple married and moved to Dayton, Ohio, while Merill served in the US Air Force. After his service, Merill earned a dental degree at Columbia University, and the couple started their lives together in New Jersey.

The Gellis raised three children: the oldest, David, Jeffrey, and Susan.

Marilyn was also an entrepreneur, launching a successful dance education business to help support the young family while the dental practice became established.

Later, beginning in the 1970s, Marilyn shattered many constraints faced by women entrepreneurs by founding and leading several businesses as CEO.

She relocated to Texas, marrying Lewis Mimms, her second husband.

Marilyn was also devoted to helping people recover from alcoholism and addiction and sponsored many people.

Marilyn passed peacefully at the age of 92 in Austin, Texas.

Her children and their spouses survive her: David and Dana Gellis, Jeffrey and Dale Gellis, Susan and Robert Wozniak, nee Gellis, grandchildren Audrey and Hailey Wozniak, Kyra Whelan, Jamie Labisi, her brother James Whitman, and great-grandchildren Patrick and Brielle.