AKRON “ Marilyn J. Gerard, 86, of Akron and formerly of Wooster passed away on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at St. Luke Lutheran Community of Portage Lakes.
She was born August 10, 1934 in Hackensack, New Jersey the daughter of Eugene and Hazel Rieck Brengard.   As a child, she participated in many parades on floats that her father handcrafted wearing costumes her mother made out of crepe paper. She went on to graduate Ridgefield Park High School in 1952. Marilyn worked for a short time as a secretary in New York City before meeting and marrying her husband. She married Alfred J. Gerard Jr. on May 26, 1956.   He preceded her in death on August 2, 2006.
Marilyn spent most of her life in New Jersey where she married and raised a family. Later in life, she retired to Wooster where she spent many hours gardening, doing crossword puzzles, and being grumpy before her morning coffee. She and Al loved to eat out and were frequent fliers at The Barn and Applebee’s. Her favorite place was the beach in Cape May, New Jersey. However, she would not turn down a trip to Tybee Island or any other destination with sand and waves.
Marilyn worked many years in retail, which only fueled her passion for shopping, and in later years, she channeled this into a volunteer position at Friendtique in Wooster. She was a long time active member of Zion Lutheran Church, and was a member of both the Red Hat Society and Widows, Widowers and Friends (WWF).
Though Alzheimer’s took her away from us long before she left the physical world, we will hold on to the many good memories we have with her. We will miss the silly side of her, her nurturing ‘gran’ma’ ways, the orange tic tacs she kept in her purse, and her pot roast among many other things.
Surviving are her daughters Donna (Jim) Knapil of Akron, Nancy (David) Lueschen of Parma and Susan MacFadyen of Sayreville, NJ; grandchildren Tracy Lee (Ryan) Mathys of Wooster, Christian (Anna) Boorman of Orrville, Ryan and Julia Boorman of Georgia, Kennedy and Nolan MacFadyen of New Jersey; great-grandchildren Charlotte and Cohen Mathys and siblings Ellen (Grant) Turner of Waretown, NJ and Gene (Peggy) Brengard of Palm Bay, FL.
In addition to her husband, Alfred, she was preceded in death by her parents.
There will be no calling hours.
Private graveside services will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to The Salvation Army, 437 S. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Ohio ™s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.

Memorial Contributions
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Salvation Army, 437 S. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Ohio ™s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

Service
Private Family Services

Visitation
No calling hours