Marilyn M. Hook, 90, of Lancaster, passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at Landis Homes. Born and raised in Butler, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Harrison M. and
Marian (Hagan) Badger. Marilyn was the wife of 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 (1949-1960) as a first grade teacher for the following school districts as she moved to accommodate family: Lincoln
Elementary (Birdsboro, Pa.), Meridian Elementary (Butler) and Baumstown Elementary (Exeter Twp., Berks Co.). 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/sewing items for annual bazaars and donating homemade foods for specific needs. Marilyn was quite proficient at Domestic Arts. Sewing, knitting, needlework and flower arrangement/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, including 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, Pa. 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.
A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 9, 2018, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 301 St. Thomas Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Visitation will be one hour prior from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
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 at a later date in the
Birdsboro Cemetery.