Marilyn Carpenter
Marilyn Grace Carpenter passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in the comfort of her home with her family attending to her in her final hours. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed by many. A memorial service to celebrate her life is planned for September 23, 2011 at 11 am at First Unitarian Church in St. Louis, 5007 Waterman Boulevard.
Marilyn was born on November 27, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, IA, to Woodrow and Grace (Ringerud) Praught. She attended Wayzatta High School in Plymouth, MN and Monticello College in Godfrey, IL, where she earned the title “Miss Wisdom,” graduating with honors as a member of Phi Theta Kappa in 1958.
Marilyn married John Lotz after college and divorced two years later. She went on to work for Emerson Electric Company in St. Louis, MO. It was during this time that she met her second husband Raymond Lewis Carpenter, with whom she had two children, Sharon and John.
Marilyn went to work as a legal secretary for a period of time before she began her employment at First Unitarian Church in St. Louis in 1977. She found her calling there for 31 years as the church administrator. Marilyn spent many dedicated years in service to the church, continuing to be active on various boards in a volunteer capacity after her retirement in 2008.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Woody and Grace Praught, and a grandson Andrew Dolph. She is survived by two children, Sharon (James) Dolph of Havre, MT, John (Alexa) Carpenter of St. Louis, MO, a step-daughter Karen Granger of Summerville, SC; brothers Michael (Mary) Praught of Houston, TX; James (Darcy) Praught of Harsen’s Island, MI; seven grandchildren: William, Amanda, John and Benjamin Dolph, Henry, Zoe and William Carpenter, and several nieces and nephews. She leaves behind countless beloved friends whose lives she touched immensely. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marilyn’s name may be made to First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman Blvd., 63108.
My thoughts and prayers to the whole family. I feel blessed to have been a part of Marilyn’s life and was touched each time we communicated. She was a special woman who carried herself in dignity and grace. She has always been in my prayers each evening and always will be.
Karen
I worked with Marilyn in the 1st Unitarian office in the 1980s and can attest first hand to her knowledge and patience! I am sorry to learn of her death. Please accept my sincere condolences. She was a fine person who will be missed by many. Theresa
I’ve been a member of First Unitarian Church/St. Louis since 1974, so I’ve spoken with Marilyn many times over the years. She ALWAYS had time to say hello after services.
There are some people who will live forever in your thoughts and memories. Marilyn is such a person for me. She touched many lives with grace and care. Her presence will be missed; her memory will be treasured.
What a lovely lady, Marilyn. I had the good fortune to live across the street and grow up with her childern. Although I moved off Westminster Place decades ago, my fondest childhood memories remail, including Marilyn. My deepest sympathy to Sharon, John and Karen. Much love, Doug
I knew Marilyn through her work as Church Administrator. She was always competent,
conscientious, very knowledgeable, and always willing be helpful. Moreover as a person she was kind, pleasant, and friendly. She leaves a rich memory and will be sorely missed.
Marilyn will be missed by many. She was a special person who had time for every one.
For years, those of us who sing in the choir would watch Marilyn making last-minute, critical checks of the sanctuary every Sunday morning. It sure made one feel as if “all’s right with the world.” She was absolutely wonderful–as an administrator and a person. I feel so fortunate to have had her as a friend! Arms around her family!
Marilyn and I “hit” it off from the first day Cathy and I joined the Church. She was on the Feast & Festivals Committee with us. I’ll miss her laugh and keen sense of humor. She and her family are in our thoughts.
Marilyn was a very special friend, so bright and funny. She loved animals and we used to share stories about our pets. She made the world a better place and I will miss her so much.
I will always remember Marilyn as a friend, a supportive voice during my student internship at 1st Unitarian so many years ago, but also the one who informed me that if I set the church’s burglar alarm system off one more time, I would be the one to go to the police station and pay the fine for all of my false alarms! We renewed our long friendship almost every year at the annual general assembly, usually over cocktails and Marilyn smoking a cigarette, together reflecting and musing over the life of the church. I will miss her.
Marilyn was a lifesaver for me during my season as a Lewis Ministerial Intern in 1992-93. I would be surprised if many of the Lewis Interns over the years would not say the same thing. She was my first guide to the often-silly complexities of church/ministerial compensation, provided rides from time to time and knew more about the church than almost anybody yet kept her counsel wisely. She set the standard, in my mind, for a church administrator and did it all with a friendly presence. It is a sadness to know she is no longer with us and I bless her memory.
The Rev. Stephen Cook
Interim Minister
First Parish, Scituate, MA
Marilyn Carpenter was one of the earliest members of the Association of UU Administrators, officially founded in 1984, at the GA at Ohio State University. Marilyn was one of the mainstays of our fledgling organization, a centered and talented colleague with such a great sense of humor! She and I were on the board for several years, in different offices, and we also participated in the committee that created the Guidebook for UU Administrators, a unique and valuable resource for UU congregational offices. I’m so grateful to have known Marilyn, as a colleague and a friend, and share my love and sympathy with her family and friends in St. Louis and around the country.