Obituary of Marilyn Orth

Orth, Marilyn Jane Fowler, 93, passed away May 1, 2015 with her loving son and daughter-in-law by her side. Marilyn was born February 12, 1922 to Mart Irving and Martha Vogt Fowler in Foxburg, PA. When she was six years old the family moved to Bridgeville, PA where her father became the principal of the schools. He was her principal all of her school years. She played the clarinet in the high school band and enjoyed high school dances with many good friends. Graduating in 1940, she attended Hood College in Frederick, MD, graduating in 1944 with a BS degree in Home Economics. She met the love of her life in 1943, James B. Orth, and they married August 12, 1944 in Houston, PA. They lived in College Park, MD where Jim became the assistant Chaplain to the students at the University of Maryland. In 1949, they moved to Gainesville, FL where Jim became the Chaplain at the University of Florida. They enjoyed working with the college students and became great Gator fans. In 1954 Jim was called to St. Paul's Episcopal Church by the Creek and they moved to Jacksonville, FL. Marilyn was very active in all the church activities. In 1966 she received her Florida teaching license and began teaching at Dupont Exceptional Child Center and later at Alden Road. She had found her destiny. During her career, she received the 1992-1993 Teacher of the Year for Exceptional Citizens award, the 1993 Teacher Humanitarian award from B'nai Brith, the 1986 Frank Peterson Outstanding Vocational Education Teacher Award, 1985-1986 Alden Road Center and was nominated in 1979 for Teacher of the Year, Duval County. She retired from teaching in 1991. After her husband died in 1992, she decided she wanted to give back and became a volunteer in the gift shop at St. Lukes Hospital and later The Mayo Clinic, where she served over 7000 hours of volunteer service.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James B. Orth, her daughter, Mary Lynn Orth and her parents, Mart and Martha Fowler. She is survived by her son, James Fowler Orth(Jeanne), her grandson, Tyler Skinner Harwood, her brother Chal Fowler(Nancy) and three nephews and their families.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 2015 at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 5616 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Marilyn was a loving mother, a faithful wife and a good friend to all who knew her. The world is a lesser place without her presence, but a much better place because of her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 5616 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Arrangements are under the care of Arlington Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6920 Lone Star Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32211 (904)724-6384. Please sign her online guestbook at www.arlingtonparkfuneralhome.com.