Obituary of Marilyn Gerhold

Marilyn Lee Quigley Gerhold of State College passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014 at her home after a brief illness. The second daughter of the late Julius Quigley and Margaret Ruth Jamison Quigley, she was born October 13, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA. Marilyn is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Henry D. Gerhold or Hank, and their three children, Maureen G. Desorcie (James) of State College, David L. Gerhold (Yuan Liu) of Lansdale, PA and Heidi G. Powell (David) of Media, PA. Her six grandchildren, Michael Powell, Nicole Powell Julien, Monica Powell, Kimberly Desorcie, Heather Desorcie, and Helen Gerhold, called her Mimi. Her sister Patricia Iverson (John) of Bethlehem, PA recently attended an 80th birthday party for Marilyn, along with her children and grandchildren. Marilyn earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Home Economics from Penn State, and all her children earned degrees at Penn State. Her family was always her first priority. She had a strong sense of personal responsibility and dispensed discipline with just the right degree of firmness, and always in a loving way. Marilyn used her creativity by turning the role of homemaker into a fine art form. An accomplished seamstress, she made many outfits for the children, clever Halloween costumes, elegant formal gowns, and State High majorette uniforms. In addition to publishing her special holiday recipes for the family, she researched and published two books about the Scrubgrass Presbyterian Church cemetery and the family genealogies. Generous with her time, Marilyn volunteered at the Mount Nittany Hospital, cooked for the Park Forest (Day Nursery) Preschool, and as a Deacon and Elder she helped with decorating public rooms of the State College Presbyterian Church. She was active with Presby Pairs, Lumber Jills, a bowling league, many bridge clubs, and was a life-long conservative in her political views with strong ethical and religious values. She shared her husband's love of the outdoors, was an avid flower gardener, and loved to find and identify wildflowers and birds on walks with family members. Many who have enjoyed the "12 Days of Christmas" displays on South Sparks Street may not realize that Marilyn was the visionary who first organized her neighbors to create these displays more than 40 years ago. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 28 at 11:00 am at the State College Presbyterian Church, officiated by Pastor Dean Lindsey, followed by a luncheon for her family and friends. Burial at Graysville Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Marilyn's memory may be made to the Park Forest Preschool, 2181 School Dr, State College, PA 16803, Mount Nittany Medical Center, 1800 E Park Ave, State College, PA 16803 or the State College Presbyterian Church 132 W. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.