Marilyn M. Hook
Marilyn M. Hook, 90, of Lancaster, passed away on Sunday at Landis Homes.
Born and raised in Butler, she was the daughter of the late Harrison M. and Marian (Hagan) Badger.
Marilyn was the wife for 60 years to George O. Hook, who predeceased her in February 2017. She was predeceased by her first husband, Benjamin G. Morgan, in 1952.
Marilyn was a 1945 alumna of Butler High School and a trumpet player in their marching band.
She continued her education at Penn State University, graduating in 1949 with a B.S. in elementary education. As a college student, she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority and Treble Singers.
After graduation, Marilyn began an 11 year career from 1949 until 1960, as a first-grade teacher for the following school districts as she moved to accommodate family: Lincoln Elementary in Birdsboro, Pa., Meridian Elementary in Butler, and Baumstown Elementary in Exeter Township in Berks County.
A Girl Scout in her youth, Marilyn returned to serve this organization as a Brownie Leader for Troop 216, for several years in the late 1960s. She had a special fondness for children, especially her nieces, nephews and only grandchild.
Empathy for children with disabilities found Marilyn collecting donations, door-to-door for cerebral palsy. For many years, she was a volunteer at the former Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital, until its closing.
Raised a Presbyterian, Marilyn worshipped in Episcopal churches following marriage. In Lancaster, she was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church since the mid 1960s, and served in various ministries including, collection accounting, knitting and sewing items for annual bazaars and donating homemade foods for specific needs.
Marilyn was quite proficient at domestic arts. Sewing, knitting, needlework, flower arrangement and gardening were her favorites.
Traveling was a passion, and no year was complete without a vacation. Marilyn traveled in North America throughout her life and to various European countries in later years, which included a 1994 trip with George as he revisited the Normandy beaches on the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. She especially enjoyed historical sites, national parks, cities and seashores.
As a child of the Depression, acts of saving, repurposing and conservation were embedded in Marilyn's psyche. As such, she was an early adopter of local recycling efforts. With the exception of inclement weather and illness, she always hung her wash out on a line.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Marcia Hook Meikrantz of Lancaster; and her granddaughter, Marlena Meikrantz Sharp, wife of Michael, of Harrisonburg, Va.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Hazel B. McCaw and Joan B. Cupps, both of Butler. Seven nieces and a nephew also survive.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Landis Homes Healthcare for their loving kindness to her during her 2.75 year residence, and to all who visited her during those years.
HOOK — A visitation for Marilyn M. Hook, who died Sunday, July 1, 2018, will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Road, Lancaster.A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at the church following the visitation.Dengler Funeral Home, Birdsboro, Pa., is in charge of arrangements.In lieu of flowers, if desired, please consider a donation in her memory to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, at the above address.Inurnment will be held later in the Birdsboro Cemetery.Please visit www.denglerfuneralhomeinc.com.
