Marianne Appleby

Our mother, Marianne Appleby, died on Friday, October 3, 2014...

But not without leaving a trail of smiles, laughter and happiness behind. Do any of us understand the difference between being alone and being lonely She wanted nothing else but to be loved and included in the lives she touched. And touch lives, she did
Never saying no to any request, whether to give someone a ride, or to attend a concert, play, recital, ball game, baby or wedding shower, or to contribute to any fundraising activity. Never one to stay still for very long, she filled her hours by taking art lessons and creating paintings that we will treasure... even some winning awards or being displayed in local hospitals. She was part of the READ OHIO program and loved helping struggling elementary school children. A voracious reader, mom enjoyed years as a member of the Research Club to discuss books although I dont think Fifty Shades of Gray was ever on the required reading list She spent countless hours volunteering for Contact Ministries to help those calling for assistance and never resisted taking extra shifts. Her Red Hat Lady buddies were a major joy in her life. The Red Hatters rode together in their purple and red finery many times in moms convertible and could be found enjoying trips, events and fine dining all around the state... never a group that would fade quietly into the background Remember them in the Bratwurst Festival Parade in Bucyrus Yeah that was them Mom was a member of the Speakeasy Players for the Chamber of Commerce in Bucyrus. She loved dressing up in her Flapper gear and being a Hostess for the visitors to the community and dancing... she was the one that was always two steps behind the other dancers. She told us it was on purpose
She was an adventurer the last 10 years of her life. During her 85 years she raised five children and then years caring for the husbands that preceded her in death, John Burden of Galion, Ohio and Ken Appleby of Bucyrus, Ohio. Always placing the needs of others first, in 1992 she began to enjoy a life of her own. When she was asked by a friend to pack a suitcase and go along to Europe, the Far East, Alaska, Hawaii and most of our mainland states, she was ready. She visited her kids in Texas, Tennessee, Florida and Ohio when she was able to fit it into her schedule. Each child invited her to move in with them, but she resisted leaving her friends, activities and extended family in central Ohio.
To the outside world, she was always the one to make people laugh, using her selfdeprecating sense of humor or thinking of how to make someone elses life a little better or more comfortable. Her consideration for others was boundless and never inconvenient for her. She never talked about the little hurts or comments others made that wounded her deeply. She presented her happy self to those around her and never the painful shyness that was just beneath the surface of herself. Years ago she said she just wanted to be a mom and that she was... to her children and all those she touched with her kindness throughout her life. So the next time the phone rings and no one is there, you pick up a penny on the ground, a butterfly lands close to you, you hear a child laugh... think of mom touching your heart from the other side... still being mom. Bye mom, love ya dearly
She died in Kingsville, TX at the home and in the gentle care of her daughter, Janice, soninlaw Mike Seyfors and granddaughter Kimberly, where she lived the last 10 months of her life. Loved by her children and family including Janice Burden Seyfors and husband Mike, Kingsville, TX Jon Smolko, Pensacola, FL Molly Smolko, Johnson City, TN Beth Brown and husband Jim, Bloomville, OH Judith Smolko Pesch and husband Lou, Johnson City, TN. Irene Appleby was a special friend along with the members of her extended Burden and Appleby families. She was blessed with six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Marianne was born in Ashtabula Ohio on January 18, 1929 and attended Kent State University. She will be remembered during a memorial service at her daughters church, Retama Park Baptist Church in Kingsville, Texas on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. and an informal memorial remembrance in Ohio yet to be scheduled.
TurcottePiper Mortuary in Kingsville is honoring Mariannes wishes.

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