Marilyn Penrod

Marilyn Elaine Penrod

March 20, 1937 - June 28, 2016

Chapel Hill

Marilyn Penrod died at home on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, under the caring watch of loving family, friends and hospice. Daughter of Allen and Anne Penrod, Marilyn was born in Elizabeth, NJ, and grew up in Federalsburg, MD. She studied art at Stratford College and George Washington University and earned an MA in communications from the University of Connecticut. Marilyn worked in communications and public relations at the University of Connecticut until the early 1990's when she moved to North Carolina to take up a position at UNC Chapel Hill until she retired.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents and by her brother, Allen Penrod. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kris Penrod; her nephews, Michael Penrod and Daniel Penrod; her niece, Jami Allen (husband, Chad); grandnephew, Cody Penrod, and grandnieces, Karli Penrod, and Emily and Kelsey Allen; and many friends.

A memorial gathering will be held to honor and remember Marilyn, date and location to be announced on Marilyn's Life Legacy page at http://www.cremationsocietync.com/, where condolences and recollections can also be submitted. Marilyn would be honored by donations to the Goathouse Refuge for cats at http://www.goathouserefuge.org/

Marilyn lived a vibrant and multifaceted life, keenly involved in many pursuits. She nurtured her gift for creating visual art throughout her life. Building on her work background in graphic design, she pursued collage-making and painting after retirement, studying with a number of local artists, and showing her work at galleries and art exhibits in the area. In the late 1990's she built a studio space on her rural home property and dedicated it to creative community activities. Here, she and others hosted classes, open studios, seminars and workshops. Marilyn loved animals with all her heart and was a devoted friend and caretaker for many cats and dogs, as well as volunteering for years at the Goathouse Refuge for cats.

Marilyn had esoteric spiritual interests, including those expressed in her engagement with crop circles, the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and the Rhine Center. Connected to this was her lifelong pursuit of wholistic healing and complementary medicine. Marilyn took good care of herself, enjoying a healthy diet and regular exercise. She was an avid hiker and also loved movement and dance classes. She was blessed with physical beauty and youthfulness and she dressed with original style.

Marilyn loved to travel and she explored the U.S., Central and South America and Europe, on her own and with friends. She spent many summers in the UK involved with crop circle research. She also loved the movies and had regular movie dates with friends.

In sum, Marilyn lived a well-designed life with many parts harmoniously in motion. She had energy and spirit to spare and she put these gifts to good use on her own behalf and for others. She had a terrific sense of humor and a light touch, while always guided by a sense of responsibility and innate consideration for others. She was a dear friend to many. Those of us who knew her cannot say enough about her large-hearted generosity and her kind and loving nature. These have been reciprocated by the community of friends and family that has attended so faithfully and provided such loving care for Marilyn when she needed it most. Marilyn brought delight wherever she was and she will be dearly missed. Our love goes with her, as hers abides with us.