Marilyn Fain Apseloff

MARILYN FAIN APSELOFF, 83 Children's Literature Author and Scholar Marilyn Fain Apseloff of Kent, Ohio, died Thursday evening, February 22, 2018, at the age of 83, with family by her side. Marilyn Fain Apseloff was an internationally recognized expert in children's literature. At Kent State University she advanced from the position of part-time instructor to full professor in the English Department and became President of the Children's Literature Association. She taught undergraduate and graduate students; published articles, book chapters, and three books; and wrote "Literature for Children" published in the World Book Year Book every year from 1984 through 1998. She chaired national and international children's literature sessions and forums for the Children's Literature Association and the Modern Language Association, and served as Director of a Children's Literature Association Conference at Harvard University. She also lectured students at universities in Poland, Greece, and Lithuania. Marilyn grew up in Massachusetts, and throughout her life she enjoyed summers in Hyannis on Cape Cod. She met the love of her life, Stanford S. Apseloff, in an English Department club meeting at the University of Cincinnati. They wed as students on November 21, 1956, and were married for her remaining sixty-one years. She endured multiple sclerosis for most of her adult life, with courage and optimism that inspired all who knew her. Marilyn was born on March 18, 1934 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, to Arthur and Eva Fain. She is survived by her devoted husband, Stanford S. Apseloff; sons, Roy Apseloff (wife Melanie Rowland) and twins Stanford Apseloff (wife Svetlana Koliada) and Glen Apseloff (wife Lucía LaBoy-Apseloff); daughter, Lynn Apseloff; granddaughter, Natalie Apseloff; and grandsons, Nicholas Apseloff, Evan Apseloff, and Ryan Apseloff. She was preceded in death by her brother, Alan Fain. Calling hours will be held 12-2 PM Tuesday, February 27 at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Kent. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ohio Buckeye Chapter, 6155 Rockside Road, Suite 202, Independence, OH 44131, www.msohiobuckeye.org.