Marilyn A. Lawson

Marilyn A. Lawson, 89, of Boardman, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Crandall Medical Center at Copeland Oaks.

She was born on August 17, 1935, in her family’s home on Forest Hill Drive in Austintown, a daughter of Clair E. and Anna E. (nee Anderson) Lowry.

Marilyn was a graduate of Fitch High School, Class of 1953, where she was a class officer, a member of National Honor Society, active in school choruses, and was crowned May Queen for her Senior Prom.  After graduation she attended Youngstown University for secretarial studies.  She joined U.S. Steel Corporation in 1955 and worked in the Ohio Works and McDonald Works offices until 1963.

Marilyn married Harry W. Lawson, Jr., on June 17, 1961.  Together they resided in Boardman, enjoyed an active social life and summers boating on the Three Rivers around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then at Lake Milton Boat Club in Mahoning County after they started their family of three children.

After Harry’s sudden death in January 1973, Marilyn returned to work on a part-time, and then later full-time basis.  She retired from Youngstown State University as Secretary of the Foreign Languages and Literature Department in August 2004, after 18 years of service.

In her younger years Marilyn enjoyed card clubs with her friends and was a league bowler at Camelot Lanes in Boardman.  She was a lifelong avid reader, and in her later years enjoyed socializing with friends and neighbors, thrifting, and putting together puzzles. 

Most of all, Marilyn enjoyed all of her time spent with her children, grandchildren, great granddaughter, sister and brother-in-law, nieces and nephews and their families.  Her loving home was often the gathering place for extended family and friends during holidays.

Marilyn was baptized at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oil City, Pennsylvania.  As an adult she was confirmed at St. James’ Episcopal Church of Boardman and later joined St. John’s Episcopal Church of Youngstown.

Marilyn’s memory lives on with her son and daughter-in law, H. William “Bill” and Joan M. Lawson of Youngstown, daughter and son-in-law, Joan E. and Robert M. Hall of Akron, granddaughter Meghan E. (Seth) Walker of Columbiana, grandsons Brian W. Lawson (Mary Dippolito) of Austintown, Quinn M. Hall (Riley Eckert) of Medina, Aidan K. Hall and Anders W. Hall of Akron, and her great granddaughter, Aurelia Eve Walker.

Along with her parents and husband, Marilyn was preceded in death by her son, Kurt E. Lawson, sister and brother-in-law, Mildred E. and Robert Miller, and brother and sister-in-law, Robert H. Lowry and Barbara Mariotte.

There will be a funeral service for Marilyn at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Avenue, in Youngstown, Tuesday, July 15, at 11:00 a.m.

 Family and Friends may call at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street in Boardman, Monday July 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Tuesday at the Church one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marilyn’s honor to the Memorial Fund at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Avenue, Youngstown. Ohio 44503, or Angels for Animals, 4750 West South Range Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.

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