Marilyn Sue Hobbs

RICHMOND, Ind. – Marilyn Sue Byrum Hobbs, age 79, of Richmond, died Monday, October 31, 2011, at the Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Ohio. Born May 28, 1932, in Richmond to Roy and Thelma Edwards Byrum, she lived in Richmond most of her life. Marilyn was a 1950 graduate of Richmond High School. She participated in all areas of sports as a child and into her middle forties, coaching Junior High girls in track and field as well as girl’s softball. Marilyn majored in music in high school, playing the trumpet in concerts and on the field with the RHS band. She was a drum majorette for two years. Marilyn also played the piano starting at age five and played the organ in high school, participating in many programs including graduation. Marilyn and her husband, R.M., were childhood sweethearts, went their separate ways and were again united and married in 1979. She loved her children and step-children equally as well as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and special life-long friend, Sue Gray Thomas. She was an LPN working in geriatrics for 16 years until she retired at age 62 to help her beloved parents, Roy and Thelma Byrum. She was an artist, mostly self taught. She was president of the Richmond Art Club for two years and a member of the Richmond Art Museum. Marilyn worked in all areas including oils, pastel, pencil, watercolor, and sculpture. Her favorite thing was portraits and passing her knowledge and enthusiasm of the arts to others. She won several awards in shows in Richmond and surrounding cities. Mostly she loved to give her work away to her family and friends, along with charities. Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Rose Skydancer of Kettering, Ohio; her son, Steven Schwab of Winchester, Ind.; daughter, Kristy Nikkola of Aurora, Colo.; and son, Brian Schwab of Richmond, Ind. Marilyn is also survived by the children of Robert and Peggy Hobbs including Danny Hobbs and his wife Doneen of New Jersey along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two nieces and one impending grandchild and one impending great-grandchild. Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Shirley Riner. There will be a celebration of her life and her art work at the Richmond Art Museum on Saturday, December 3, 2011, from 2 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made in her name to: Richmond Art Museum, 350 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

Marilyn Sue Hobbs

May 28, 1932 - October 31, 2011