Marian Hyland

Marian Townsley Hyland, Social Worker, Artist, and Dust Bowl survivor, dies at 90 Early on the morning of July 15, 2017, Marian Townsley Hyland, 90, peacefully passed away at Ohio Living Sarah Moore in the company of her loving daughter and son-in-law. Marian, a longtime resident of Maumee, Ohio, was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 67 years, James W. Hyland, Jr., and is survived by a family she adored including sons, James III (Susan) of Dover, NH, Douglas (Virginia) of West Lafayette, IN, and daughter Kristin (Richard) Kolb of Delaware, OH. Five grandsons, Bryce (Tammy), Nathan (Rebekah), Eric, Daniel, and David, and three great-grandchildren (plus one expectant), Elliana, Brighton, and Adalyn, also survive and continue their grandmother’s legacy. Born Marian Almira Townsley (Mattie, to her dearest sister, Jean) in 1926 to Fay and Lelah (Fenner) Townsley, Marian spent the first five years of her life in Muscatine County, Iowa. In 1931, the family moved to South Dakota, where they endured and survived the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and a rigorous 13 years of farming without bringing in a single, successful crop. She attended Pretty Prairie School, a one-room schoolhouse, graduating in 1944, and shortly thereafter rejoined her family in Iowa, to which they returned earlier that year. Her parents encouraged her to continue her education, and she dutifully and expectantly entered the University of Iowa that fall. While at university, Marian claimed to have broken dates with two other young men so that she might go out with the recently returned WWII hero, James W. Hyland, Jr., of Cleveland, Ohio, who had also asked her for a date. The two quickly fell in love and remained a devoted and inseparable pair for the rest of their lives. Mindful of completing her degree, Marian graduated with a B.A. in Social Work on June 5, 1948. She and Jim were married the very next day. The newlyweds moved to Maumee, Ohio, where they raised their three children and spent the next 67 years. Upon the passing of her beloved husband, Marian moved to Delaware, Ohio, to be near her daughter. Marian was employed for two years as social worker at the Child and Family Agency, and 21 years, also as a social worker, for Toledo Public Schools’ visiting teacher program. She retired in 1990 and devoted her time to family, church, painting, photography, and travel. An accomplished artist, Marian enjoyed painting in several media and exhibited in numerous art shows, two as recently as this past year. For many years, she studied painting under George Jensen, Walter Chapman, and Robert Boyles. As a photographer, she was a long-time member of TOPICS Camera Club. Marian and Jim’s extensive travels took them to all 50 states, China, Japan, Hong Kong, western Europe, Turkey, Mexico, the Bahamas, Morocco, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and most of the Canadian provinces, always with cameras in hand. As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Maumee since 1953, Marian served as Elder, Sunday School teacher, leader of adult groups, and Circle leader. Devoted to her children and the development of values that scouting provides, she was also a past Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader. She served on the board of AAUW, and with her husband established a chapter of the American Field Service exchange student program at Maumee High School. She was also an active participant in the Maumee Historic Home Tours for many years. Like her husband, she loved being active and helping people. Calling hours will be at 10:00am on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, 200 E. Broadway, with services following at 11:00am. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Waterville, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Maumee or Ohio Living Sarah Moore in Delaware, Ohio. Arrangements have been entrusted to Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, Maumee, Ohio. Online condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.