Marilyn Lee O'Neill

Marilyn Lee O’Neill, 92 years old of West Chester, PA passed away Saturday, December 18, 2021 at home.

Born January 29,1929 in New London, CT. She was the daughter of the late Admiral Merlin O’Neill and the late Esther Tuttle O’Neill.

Marilyn’s father was military so she moved around and attended many schools as a youngster until she went to and graduated from Garrison Forest School in Baltimore, MD. Marilyn moved on to college at Bouvé College, now part of Northeastern University’s Health Services Department. She received her master’s degree in Education at Villanova University.

After graduation, Marilyn taught and coached at the Tower Hill School in Wilmington, DE. She moved on to Nether-Providence HS in Wallingford, PA and then finished her teaching and coaching career at Conestoga HS in Berwyn, PA.

After her retirement she became a member of the “Wednesdays” at the Philadelphia Zoo. She was a docent there for sixteen years. The drive to the zoo became difficult so later she volunteered at the Brandywine zoo in Wilmington DE. She was very committed to many organizations that protect animals the world over.

Marilyn was very active in sports; played field hockey in leagues in Delaware and Philadelphia. She also was manager of the Field Hockey National Team that traveled to South Africa and Australia in the seventies. In addition, she was a talented badminton player. Marilyn also enjoyed travel, particularly vacations to MDI and Acadia National Park in Maine every summer with friends. Hiking the mountains and trails for forty years was very special.

In non-sports activities, she was a gifted cartoonist. As a member of the Penn Oaks Golf Club, her talents were recognized and valued by the Women golfers to design invitations, bullet board messages and posters. Birthday cards and cards for any recognition were always her creations and valued by all.

Marilyn led a well-lived life. She is survived by nephews William Penn and his wife Kimberly, Landenberg PA; Charles Penn, Thurmont MD; and Marilyn Lindley and her husband, Mark, Mira Loma, CA. Also friends, Betty Tayes and Vonnie Gros, with whom she shared a house for fifty years.

Services and Interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 or to Penn Medicine Hospice, 150 Monument Rd., Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181 ww.DellaFH.com