Marilyn Jean Vinansky (née Kessler), a dedicated medical transcriptionist and beloved family matriarch, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, with her family by her side. She was 67 years old.
Marilyn Kessler was born on Aug. 31, 1956, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
She was raised in Havertown and later moved to Lebanon, graduating from Cedar Crest High School. She went on to attend Elizabethtown College, earning a degree in Medical Office Practice. Marilyn dedicated much of her professional career to Neurology Center PC as a medical transcriptionist. In later years, she enjoyed various roles, including working in the cash office at Kohl’s department stores.
Marilyn devoted her life to raising her three children, Jared, Kyle, and Leah, in Mechanicsburg and Orefield, Pennsylvania. After Kyle and Leah went to college, Marilyn, her husband, Robert, and Jared relocated to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area in 2009, where she spent her remaining years.
A loving and nurturing mother, Marilyn found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was particularly known for her cookies, especially her famous chocolate chip variety, which filled her home with joy. She had a fondness for Earl Grey tea, Diet Coke, and later Carolina Sweet Tea. Marilyn cherished sneaking away during the workday to enjoy lunch outings with her children and always kept a stash of her favorite nostalgic candy around the house: Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and M&M’s. She also loved taking photos and scrapbooking, capturing and preserving cherished memories for her family.
Marilyn was deeply involved in her children’s lives, supporting their schoolwork, art projects, and extracurricular activities. She was always a “room mom” at school and happily volunteered for various activities, from hosting breakfast for Kyle’s high school football team to being a top-notch soccer mom to Leah. Marilyn was renowned for throwing the best-themed birthday parties, including elaborate Halloween hayrides for Jared, a secret agent-themed party for Kyle with “self-destructing” invitations, and a My Super Sweet 16 party for Leah.
Driven by her support for her son, Jared, Marilyn was actively involved in the Special Olympics, Rainbow Express Ministries, and the Aktion Club. Her unwavering commitment to these organizations demonstrated her dedication to fostering opportunities and enriching the lives of those involved.
Marilyn had a passion for Motown music, especially Diana Ross & The Supremes. She loved going to the movies with her husband and children and enjoyed watching romantic comedies and dramas, including “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Ghost.” She cherished time spent with her family and friends at the beach in New Jersey, the Pocono Mountains, and the Riviera Maya in Mexico.
Despite the challenges of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Marilyn’s good-hearted and gentle spirit remained intact. The staff at her memory care facility often remarked on her beautiful smile and her kindness to all, even in the face of her illness.
Marilyn Vinansky is survived by her devoted husband, Robert; her children, Jared, Kyle, and his wife, Abbey, and Leah, and her husband, Guy; her granddaughters, Larson, Vivian, and Margot; as well as her siblings, Karen, Susan, Kristine, and Kurt. Her legacy of love, kindness, and dedication to her family will be eternally remembered by all who knew her.
A memorial service to honor Marilyn’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, at Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home, 5 Campmeeting Road, Jonestown, Pennsylvania, 17038.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Union County Special Olympics (https://give.specialolympicsnc.com/MarilynVinansky), reflecting Marilyn’s lifelong dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
