Marilyn Morningstar

1939 - 2024

LIMA -- Marilyn Sue Morningstar, Lima, Ohio, age 84, passed away May 4, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. at Lima Memorial Hospital. Marilyn was born July 27, 1939 in Bellefontaine, OH to the late Herbert and Alice (Randall) Morningstar.

She is preceded in death by three brothers, Donald, Richard, and John Morningstar; two sisters, Doris Ritchie and Jane Bockbrader; two nephews, Michael and Larry and a niece, Elaine.

At an early age, Marilyn had a love of learning, eventually earning her Bachelor's degree from Ohio Northern University, a Master's degree from Bowling Green State University in education and an Education Specialist degree from BGSU. Marilyn's vocation was teaching. She began her teaching career in the Wapakoneta City Schools and eventually taught at Allen East, Elida, and the Lima Public School systems. She also was a Fellowship Instructor at BGSU where she taught a graduate class for teachers called, "Project Teach." Marilyn had been past president of the Lima Education Association.

Marilyn took a break from teaching to run her own insurance agency in Wapakoneta for 14 years but returned to teaching, working in Lima tutoring children at all grade levels. For the last 8 years, she enjoyed working at Literacy Council at the Lima Adult Learning Center teaching English as a second language and getting to meet people from around the world.

Marilyn also loved to travel, play golf, and play the piano. She was very proud to be taking additional piano lessons later in life and was the oldest student in her recitals. She volunteered over 7500 hours at Lima Memorial Hospital and was past president of the Lima Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She also spent five weeks in Scotland volunteering at the Marie Curie Cancer Care Store in Stranraer and had been a member of the Auglaize Historical Society.

Marilyn spent many hours gardening (flowers, vegetables, and herbs) and established a Memorial Garden at Luther Pines Senior Apartments. She was also past president of the Luther Pines Resident Council for 8 years. Marilyn was always cooking and baking for her friends at Luther Pines and always made sure that Holiday dinners were available for anyone that didn't have a place to go. She spent any free time playing card games with her friends, working on a puzzle or reading.

Although with no children of her own, Marilyn was "Aunt Sue" to over a dozen nieces and nephews. Aunt Sue fascinated them with her slide projector presentations documenting her foreign travels, tasked them with helping to grade papers, admonished them for banging on the piano, asked for help working in the garden, and always had a list of projects to keep everyone busy.

Marilyn is survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara Morningstar and brother-in-law, Donald Ritchie along with her nieces and nephews: Terri (Steve), Steve (Kelly), Linda (John), Scott (Lori), Jeff, Kris (Albert), Keith, Greg, David (Julie), Lisa, Lori, Nick, Lyn, and Deanne.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at Perry Township Administration Building (2408 E. Breese Rd, Lima), Sunday, June 23 from 2 to 5 pm. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Allen County or Northwest Ohio Literacy Council.