Name: Visitation for Marlene Soulsby Ph.D.
Start: 2021-08-31T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-08-31T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home

Marlene Soulsby, Ph.D., of Scranton, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, of complications due to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Born Oct. 23, 1946, in Monongahela, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Vincent) Pilarcik. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Robert G. Soulsby.

Marlene attended the Elizabeth Forward Joint Public School System, during which time she spent her senior year as her high school's first representative as an American Field Service student in Switzerland. Marlene earned her bachelor's degree in the German language from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She received her master's degree in German literature from the Pennsylvania State University and her doctorate in comparative literature from the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton.

During her 43-year career at the Worthington Scranton Campus of Penn State, she received numerous awards for her teaching and advising activities. Marlene was recognized with the All University Atherton Award, the Liberal Arts Advising Award and honored to be the first recipient of the Gertrude Hawk Teaching Award.

In addition to her teaching and advising responsibilities, she was a Fulbright Scholar and traveled to Germany on many occasions. She was an active member of the International Society for the Study of Time (ISST) and served as editor of the society's journal "Chronoscope" over a period of nine years. Marlene also edited three volumes of the society's publication "The Study of Time."

In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her husband/caregiver, practicing tai chi weekly despite the challenges presented by her illness, playing Mahjong with her good friends and participating in the First Friday Book Club.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Ryan, (Anthony Kermode) and grandson, Orry of Egham, Surrey, U.K.; brother, Joseph (Claudia); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of the Sacred Heart whose compassionate home care and case management were a wonderful, much needed blessing.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a brief service at the funeral home for family and friends and interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, Dunmore. Duffy and Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Scranton Times on Aug. 28, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Marlene Soulsby

Sponsored by Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home Duffy & Snowdon Funeral Homes.

9 Entries

Paul Harris

September 2, 2021

I am very sorry for your loss. I felt great sadness about Marlene's passing combined with great gratitude for having known her through many years in the International Society for the Study of Time. When I just imagine her face, I can feel her warmth, humor, and hospitality. I also remember her support and advice during difficult years in my life, and the grace with which she endured difficulties in her own. Marlene's dedication to the vision and cause of ISST was so important and substantial and did so many colleagues a great service. We were so fortunate that Marlene was committed to making the Society a success, and also bring her own vision and skills to the work, including editing many books and making Kronoscope a significant international journal. Thoughts and prayers, Paul Harris

Frederick Turner

September 2, 2021

Marlene was at the heart of the International Society for the Study of Time, and represented not only its intellectual adventurousness and its scholarly integrity but also its mysterious good fellowship, its collective sense of humor, its aesthetic perceptiveness and its gentleness of moral apprehension.

It is heartbreaking to lose her, but I believe her qualities are now baked into our community.

Raji Steineck

September 2, 2021

The passing of Marlene is sad news indeed to everyone who knew her at ISST. We already had to miss her at our last conference in LA.
Marlene was a long-standing member of our council and instrumental in establishing our journal KronoScope. She was a cherished presence at our conferences.
I vividly remember how she came to our conference in Edinburgh in 2016 to say good-bye to ISST because of her deteriorating health. The way she did so very much embodied the intelligence, clarity, purpose, warmth, and grace for which we will remember her. It was a moment of gratitude for all she had done for ISST, shared sadness about the parting, and also memorable grace and dignity on her part.

She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed

Raji Steineck
President, ISST

peter hancock

September 2, 2021

It was so sad to hear this news. I hope that her memory can provide consolation at this difficult time.

Jo Alyson Parker

September 1, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. We who knew Marlene through the International Society for the Study of Time are mourning our dear friend and colleague. For nearly 30 years, Marlene contributed to the ISST, helping shape it into the vibrant interdisciplinary society that it is today. Although Marlene's contributions to the society as an editor, a council-member, and a time-scholar are impressive, her warm and engaging presence has been foremost in the minds of those who knew her. In tributes to Marlene that flooded the ISST listserv after her passing, ISST members spoke of how welcome she made them feel when they first joined the society. I first met Marlene at the 1998 conference, and I soon counted her as a dear friend. I last saw her last at the 2016 conference, and, although beset with health issues, she maintained her usual good cheer and inquiring disposition. I will miss her.

Mike Rzucidlo

August 31, 2021

I can still see Marlene outside of the gym with her class doing Tai Chi helping her students to focus their inner Chi. She was a terrific teacher and a great person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Cousin Kate Pilarcik

August 30, 2021

Marlene had an email address of ~ "Pilarcik1" . . . Her words to me were always light, bright, right and cherished. So I asked her once upon our times, "That address is because you're the first grandchild, the first cousin, right?" She took no hesitation -- Marlene style, of course -- and replied, "It's so you all won't forget."

We'll never ever Pilarcik and Soulsby forget you, our genius, whiz, robust laughter and life gusto grabber, Marlene . . . our Pilarcik1.

My heart aches for you Bob and Mari and Joey and Claudia and full, full family out there, like me -- so much in love with the full, wide flowing spirit that is e'er our Marlene.

~ Cousin Kate, absolutely
( flag is from Habovka, Slovakia ~ our heritage beginnings from the young rebel, Michael Pilarcik )

Colleen

August 29, 2021

She was a beautiful person. I will cherish my memories of us eating pizza at Nearra´s, talking about design, and many years as friendly neighbors.

Teresa Grabowski

August 29, 2021

Very sorry for your loss

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