Marilyn Kimbley Schulz

Marilyn Kimbley Schulz, 79, of Abilene, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2006. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, with Rev. Scott Mayer officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Marilyn was born on September 20, 1926 to Russell Bryce Kimbley and Jeanne (DeLoe) Kimbley in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1943, Marilyn graduated from Abilene High School and was also the A.H.S. Band Sweetheart that year. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO and Oklahoma University. Marilyn remained a lifelong fan of OU football games and "adopted" Texas A&M because of her many Aggie friends and her love of the Aggie Marching Band. She was actively involved in many organizations, both as a dedicated member and also as an insightful leader. Because of her belief in education as the key to improving one's life, Marilyn became actively involved in the local PTA and rose to President of the Texas State PTA, a position she held proudly for several years. Marilyn's avid interest in and support of the arts and Texas History encompassed both educational and community groups. She was President of the Texas State Mental Health Association for several years. Marilyn was also a licensed pilot and a member of The Ninety-Nines, a non-profit international organization of female pilots. Her other interests included travel, gardening, cooking, genealogy, Texas History and Texas authors and artists. Marilyn worked for Fulwiler Jeweler's in sales and repairs from 1995 until retiring in July of 2004. She had previously worked at Dixie Rose Jewelry Store for eight years, before going to work at Fulwiler's. She had been a resident of Abilene since 1936 and was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. Marilyn was preceded in death by both of her parents and one sister, Mary Kay Brown. She is survived by two daughters, Anchen Schulz, PhD of Binghamton, New York, Gretchen Schulz Hodge and her husband James of Rowlett, Texas; two nieces, Xan Brown Lasko and her husband Chris of Edmonton, Oklahoma; Vanessa Brown of Nashville, Tennessee; and four grandchildren, Alessandra and Gregory Baldini, and Jared and Travis Hodge. She is also survived by her special friend, Ray Cannefax. Marilyn was a loving mother who offered unconditional love, support and guidance, not only to her daughters, nieces and grandchildren, but also to their many friends whom she also considered as her children. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Memorial Fund at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602; or to the Friends of the Abilene Public Library Endowment Fund, 202 Cedar St., Abilene, TX 79601.