Marilyn Mae Waller

CUYAHOGA FALLS- Marilyn Mae Waller was a caring mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend with a big laugh and compassionate heart. She passed away on March 8 in Ogden, UT surrounded by family.

Marilyn was born on February 5, 1938 to Frank and Elsie Chantrey in Sharon, PA. She was active in Brookfield High School participating in band, theater, yearbook and pep club. After graduating in 1956, Marilyn went on to study Education, a subject she was always passionate about, at Hiram College where she participated Sigil of Phi Sigma Social Club and made lifelong friends. It was also during this time that Marilyn found her passion for tennis, that she continued to play throughout her life.  After graduation, she landed her first job as an elementary school teacher in Youngstown and then at Coshocton and Cuyahoga Falls Schools.

In 1961, she met the love of her life, Forrest, and they wed in 1962, going on to have three children, Jackie, Paul, and Cathy.

When Marilyn had her first child, Jackie, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Marilyn excelled at motherhood and has always been the foundation of our family. She was the loudest cheerleader for her children no matter what they were doing.  She was wise, thoughtful and had a great sense of humor and was our constant support.

Marilyn had a gift of service participating in United Methodist Women, children’s choir, PTA, United Way, and Elementary reading volunteer program, to name a few. Marilyn was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, being a minister’s wife was not easy and she did it well. In her later years, she was her husband’s caregiver, always putting others first.

Marilyn participated in many sports, events and groups and was passionate about all of them.  A fierce competitor, Marilyn gifted her children the love of athletics and game playing.  When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth, laughter and compassion, she could be found on the tennis court, playing the piano, swimming, going to the beach, laughing and having fun with many friends, including Joan Bowles, Dorothy Robertson and Nancy Cochran.   In the last few months, she spent time in Utah near her daughter Jackie and her family.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Elsie, her brother, John, and her daughter, Cathy.  She is survived by her husband, Forrest; her children, Jackie (Mark) and Paul (Jenny), grandchildren Dalton, Zoe, Parker, Tanner, and Asher, her sister Donna, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM on March 24th at First United Methodist Church Cuyahoga Falls 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH; visitation will be held preceding at 12:00 PM. 

Family requests that in lieu of flowers and remembrances, donations be made to the Cuyahoga Falls City Schools, Elementary School Reading Program.