Marilyn L. Palermo

In the late hours of October 12, 2022, Marilyn Palermo went to rest in the arms of her Lord. Marilyn was born Marilyn Barbara Kayem to French and German immigrants on August 29, 1940. In her youth she attended Collingwood High School and then Mount Union College. At Mount Union, she encircled herself with some wonderful classmates who remained in contact and visited her often during 64 years of friendship they shared. Another blessing during her Mount Union years was the meeting and subsequent marriage of Marilyn and her first husband, Dr. Richard Neil Lower. From this union her 4 children were born. Alas, Richard passed early in their lives leaving Marilyn a widow with 4 young ones. However, in 1977 on a blind date set up by a friend, Marilyn met her second husband, William James Palermo. He was a gracious, charming man and not at all phased by taking on the needs of a new wife and the 4 little ones she had in tow. After 24 years of marriage, William (Bill) passed away.

Throughout Marilyn’s life, she was an extremely active person. She was a member of the Junior League of Toledo, Toledo Opera Guild, and she was a Eucharist Minister for her beloved church, St. Michael’s in the Hills. Marilyn spent years teaching French throughout the Catholic Diocese elementary schools and later in life at Cardinal Stritch High School. Marilyn, also later in life, obtained her master’s degree from the University of Toledo.

Left to cherish her memory are her 4 children, Philip (Lei) Lower, Johanna (Jeff) Crawford, Andrew (Ayumi) Lower, and Rachael (Dayton) Descant. Marilyn’s sister, Janet (Bill) Cox, six amazing grandchildren and lots of nieces and nephews. Those who passed before her were her parents, Anna and Werner Kayem, and her wonderful husbands, Richard Lower and William Palermo.

A service of life will commence at St. Michael’s in the Hills, 4718 Brittany Rd. Ottawa Hills, OH 43615 on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11:00 am. For all who wish to donate in her name, please consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio or her church, St. Michael’s in the Hills.