Marian Ruth (Ribelin) Saxe

Our Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, family matriarch and exemplar Marian Ruth (Ribelin) Saxe passed away November 11, 2024, while in the care of hospice after a fall and subsequent stroke. Born in Kent, Ohio in April of 1928, during her favorite season of spring, she graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1946. As a student, she was an enthusiastic cheerleader, a member of National Honor Society, and known by all. She affectionately talked about high school as her "Hollywood".

 Mom had a vibrant social personality. She loved parties, dancing, and all the details of decor, food, and attire that were part of celebrations. Her dancing continued even from her hospice bed where she gracefully moved her good arm to her own choreography.

 She leaves a legacy of endurance in hard times and a devotion to her church, the church choir, and Bible Study. She also leaves us the example of her joy in family gatherings and an unshakable marriage with her husband of 75 years, Sterling Saxe, who preceded her in death just a short year ago.

Her love of learning continued throughout her lifetime with birding trips, PBS documentaries, and a reading list dominated by thick, non-fiction books on politics and US History. At the age of 83, she took up watercolor painting. Fresh flowers, her favorite gift, were frequently the subject of her paintings. We will remember her spectacular vegetable soup, the way she would spit -clean our face before church, and her celebration of our birthdays by making our favorite dinner and favorite cake.

 We will miss her unique expressions and the enthusiasm with which she delivered them, her enormous smile, and the charm she worked on everyone. She consistently told her nurses, aides, and visitors: "You are beautiful". All of us will miss the astonishment, delight, humor, and candor she brought to our lives.

 In addition to her husband Sterling, Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle and Ralph Ribelin and her older brothers Glenn (Justine) and Lloyd (Joan) Ribelin. 

 Her five children, Shirley Ende-Saxe (Karen), Suzanne Silvey (Larry), Andy (Vivian), Steven (Janet), Joan Jacob (Ivan), her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews loved her so very much and mourn her passing.

In lieu of flowers, please notice the helpers and tell them they're beautiful.

 A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 11:00am, at the Stow United Methodist Church, 4880 Fishcreek Rd. Stow, OH. The service will be followed by a luncheon in the church hall.

 Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.