Marilyn Joy McGinnis Edwards

Marilyn Joy McGinnis Edwards passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 97 on the evening of January 6, 2023, at Midstate Medical Center. She was loved deeply by her family and will be greatly missed.

Marilyn was born to the late Edward Lester McGinnis and Laura Lewis McGinnis in New Brunswick, NJ, on Christmas Day 1925. She graduated from Douglass College, Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and from Trenton State College with a bachelor’s degree in Library Science. Her last position before retirement was as the school librarian at Mary L. Tracy Elementary School in Orange.

John “Jack” Owen Edwards and Marilyn were married in Highland Park, NJ in November 1952. They were married 58 years, residing first in Lebanon and then in Orange for 38 years. They moved to Masonicare at Ashlar Village in Wallingford in May 2001, where Marilyn resided at the time of her death.

Marilyn is remembered as a kind and active woman who liked to be busy and helpful. She cared for her family, welcomed people into her home, showed an interest in everything around her, loved God’s creation, and had a wry sense of humor.

Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, and swimming, attending theater and taking courses; she served others through church and the community. While in Orange, Marilyn was active in the Garden Club, Literacy Volunteers, and the Orange Congregational Church. At Ashlar Village she served for many years on the Scholarship Committee.

She and Jack traveled extensively, making trips to Europe, Japan, Australia, and many regions of the United States. In their retirement, they participated with 35 Elderhostel (now

Road Scholar) programs, culminating in a trip to Alaska. Trips to visit Jack’s family in Harpswell, ME were especially meaningful to Marilyn. Recently, when asked her favorite place to visit, she said, “I think I like Maine.”

Marilyn is survived by her children, Ellen Joy Edwards, Jeffrey Owen Edwards ( JulieAnne Moore Edwards), and Margo Jill Panyard ( James E. Panyard), 12 grandchildren, 7 greatgrandchildren (the last born the day after her passing), and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Jack, and siblings Arlene McGinnis Kuhlthau and Edward “Bud” McGinnis.

Marilyn’s name will be listed next to her husband’s in the Memorial Garden of the Orange Congregational Church. A Celebration of Life will be held March 18th at Ashlar Village, in the auditorium in Bridge House, 74 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Orange Congregational Church, 205 Meetinghouse Ln., Orange, CT 06477, or to Connecticut Audubon Society at www.ctaudubon.org . BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden in care of arrangements. To send condolences to her family, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett. com