Obituary for Marilyn Jean Leymaster

Marilyn Leymaster, 77, of Galena passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019. Marilyn was retired from Olentangy Local Schools, where she taught high school English.

Marilyn was born on April 4,1941 to Herbert and Emma Alcott in Youngstown, Ohio. The oldest of five siblings, she grew up in Canfield, Ohio, and eventually earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio State University. She married Michael J. Leymaster in 1963 and together they built a family and a professional life as educators. As an English teacher at Crestline High School, Mifflin High School, and finally Olentangy High School, Marilyn instilled in her students an appreciation of good writing and the ability to write well. Marilyn had a green thumb, a sharp wit, and a giant heart. Her friends — whether from teaching, from her Galena and Westerville neighborhoods, from Sunday school, from book club and Bible study groups, or elsewhere — were very important to her, and she prized many dear decades-long friendships.

Marilyn is missed by her husband of 55 years, Michael J. Leymaster; daughter Jennifer (Sophie Dryer) and son Michael; grandchildren Cameron and Katelyn; siblings William (Karen) Alcott, Glenn (Terri) Alcott, and Virginia (Steve) Domer; sister-in-law Diane Alcott; aunt Helen (Earl) Morris; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Emma Alcott and brother Raymond.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 12, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, at HILL FUNERAL HOME in Westerville. A brief memorial program will follow at 2:30 PM. Marilyn’s family is in the process of establishing a fund in her memory with the Olentangy Education Foundation.