Marilyn McGinnis, 86, entered into eternal life Sunday morning, November 9. She died peacefully in her sleep at her daughter and son-in-law's home in SaddleBrooke, AZ.
Born in Scranton on February 4, 1939, Marilyn was the daughter of the late Gerald Fisch and Margaret Flannery Fisch. She was raised with her older sister, and their Uncle Bob Flannery, by their grandparents, the late Robert Flannery, Sr., and Regina Rahner Flannery. Marilyn was a 1956 graduate of the former Scranton Technical High School. During her time in high school, she met the love of her life from South Catholic, "Tommy" McGinnis. They wed on September 15,1956 in Rochester, N.Y.
Marilyn was a loving stay-at-home mom as she raised three girls with Tom in New Jersey and Scranton, PA. They finally settled in South Side where they were members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and later attended Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church. When the girls were older, she went back to school and became a licensed practical nurse. Her job as an LPN fulfilled her. She was a very capable and caring LPN and enjoyed her jobs at Holiday Manor and in private homes taking care of the elderly.
Marilyn and Tom went on the trip of a lifetime to Ireland with Tom's cousins, Nancy and Kathleen, and spent time with the McGinnis clan of Crossmolina, County Mayo. Other travel included yearly visits to family in Minnesota and occasional attendance at Steubenville Catholic Conferences where Marilyn and Tom grew closer to God and each other through their shared faith.
Marilyn was a social person. She thrived on it. She met "the porch people" during her walks in the neighborhood. She became a member of a prayer group where her faith continued to deepen. She missed spending time with the group when she moved to Allied Terrace Assisted Living and then to Allied Skilled Nursing where she received great care from her special nurses, aides, and other health care workers. Marilyn's final home was with her daughter and son-in-law. We hoped we would have many months, if not years, with her. Her death one month after her move to Arizona has been extremely difficult for the family.
She was a woman of deep Catholic faith, prayed the rosary daily, watched EWTN, and grew closer to the Blessed Mother in her final years. Marilyn loved her family and was happiest being with her children, grandchildren, and other relatives. She always had a fantastic time at the Slayton Annual Super Bowl party where she, Tom, and Uncle Bob celebrated their birthdays. Marilyn had a strong personality. Her passing has left a tremendous hole in our hearts, and we are mourning deeply the loss of our cherished mom, Nana, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend. We will miss her terribly.
In addition to her parents and grandparents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, retired Scranton Police Captain Thomas McGinnis, youngest daughter Lori Schmidt, sister Joan Slayton and her husband Welsh, Uncle Bob Flannery, and former son-in-law, Pat Ruane. She is survived by daughters Colleen McGinnis Ruane and partner David Artabane (Old Forge), and Sharon McGinnis and her husband Karl Zgoda (AZ); son-in-law Billy Schmidt; grandchildren Kara Schmidt and fiancé Eric Gruzesky, and Nicole Schmidt; Patrick, Kailey, and Sarah Ruane and companion Billy Joyce; Fr. Connor and Ryan McGinnis; brother-in-law Edward Schaefer; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Friends and family may call Sunday, November 16, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home, Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 17, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 1217 Prospect Ave., celebrated by her grandson, Fr. Connor McGinnis, concelebrated by Fr. Jonathan Kuhar, pastor. Those attending the mass are asked to proceed directly to the church. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Childfund International (childfund.org) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org).
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.