Marilyn Kent Hall

Marilyn Janet (Kent) Hall passed away on August 6, 2018. She was born on April 24, 1926, to Horace Henry Kent and Pearl Lillian (Smith) Kent, in Mogadore, Ohio. Her parents were the last two Kent family members mentioned as residents in the History of the Western Reserve.

She lived most of her life in central Ohio, where, as a youth, she was active in the Camp Fire Girls. Then, when a mother, she served as a Girl Scout leader in Chillicothe, Ohio. She graduated from Columbus School for Girls in 1944, spent three years at The Ohio State University, then completed college in 1996, at age 70, with a General Studies degree from Capital University. On September 4, 1948, she married Richard Alan Hall who predeceased her in 1993. Her only sibling, Eugene Elihu Kent, of Medford, Oregon, died in 1999. Survivors are her daughter, Pamela Janet (Gary) Sahr, Broomfield, Colorado; son, Jeffrey Kent (Nancy Thimmes) Hall, Hilliard, Ohio, grandson Drew Christopher (Madeline Follis) Hall, Noblesville, Indiana, and great-granddaughter Malin James Hall, also of Noblesville, Indiana.

She spent many years as a freelance court reporter and was actively involved in the Ohio Court Reporters Association (OCRA) by serving on its board for several years, ultimately as President. She wrote several articles published in the national Journal of Court Reporting magazine. In 1985, she became a Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters. An Honorary OCRA lifetime membership award was presented to her by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer at the annual convention of OCRA in 1988, the year she retired.

It was her pleasure to serve as secretary and board member of the Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. She served as president of the Business and Professional Unit and was a member of the Allegro Unit of that association.

Having enjoyed corresponding with a pen pal in England since 1944, Marilyn printed a book containing the letters they had exchanged during that time, with comments about life in general as well as stories about the time they had spent together during seven visits with one another.

Music was always an important part of her life. She accompanied the CSG choir and played piano in the school ensemble. At various church functions she served as accompanist for many groups, and for ten years accompanied the Upper Arlington Senior Center chorus. She also loved to sing in church choirs. Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting, counted crossstitching, photography, and travel.

Marilyn collected people in the same way that some collect stamps! Her motto was that she never met a stranger unless he/she insisted on being one. In a paper written for a course at Capital University, she wrote that she wanted to be remembered as someone who loved life.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Meadow Park Church of God or a charity of their choice.

(This obituary was authored by Marilyn herself.)

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