Marilyn Ann Corey

Marilyn Ann Corey of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away on December 29, 2023 at the age of 87.

Born on October 22, 1936, she is daughter of the late Lucille and Harold Shea. Wife of the late Ralph Corey; mother of Mark (Jayflor) Rosequist, Karen Stasik, Jane Donovan, Luanne (Duane) Grimm, Douglas Rosequist, and Catherine (Michael) Filiaggi; grandmother of Shannon Donovan, Meggan (Mic) Mrazek, Melissa and Adam Stasik, Paulina, Madeline, Valerie, and Rachel Rosequist and Sophia Rosequist; great-grandmother of Dylan, Mia, and Luke Mrazek, Isabella Stasik, and Emma Predescu. She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Carol Rosequist, and son-in-law Francis Stasik.

Marilyn was born in Erie, PA to loving parents and always portrayed her childhood as idyllic. She attended Catholic school until she graduated high school from Villa Maria Academy in 1954. She married early and had five children. When her marriage ended, she took her children, the youngest less than a year old, to Pittsburgh, and through her resourcefulness she made sure that everyone always had a roof over their head, food on the table, and clean clothes to wear.

For many years she was a member of her local Women’s Club where the members got together not only to socialize but to organize events to raise money and awareness of various causes. She traveled to national meetings and took pride in reporting back to her fellow members all that she learned.

Crediting her Mother, Marilyn was skilled in the domestic arts. Throughout her life, she loved to entertain. Her guests were always wowed that she seemed to have thought of everything. She was a wonderful cook and baker and took pride that everything she made was “from scratch.” She declared that boxed mixes and cakes from the bakery were “just not as good!” She was also excellent at sewing, many times making outfits for her children or herself. She was known to be fastidious in her housekeeping, passing it on to her children with varying levels of success.

She often did things that were outside of the norm for the time. In the 1970s, she met her husband, Ralph and they moved all of the kids from Bellevue to Wexford and lived in an old farmhouse. Their daughter, Catherine, was born when Marilyn was 41 years old.

When she set her mind to something she wanted to do, she did it. In her early 50s, she decided she wanted to get a college degree. She choose hotel and restaurant management since it seemed like a natural accompaniment to her fondness of hosting. She achieved an associate’s degree from CCAC North Campus and was proudly on the Dean’s List multiple semesters all while taking care of her numerous other duties at home and work.

In the early 90s, a flood on Marilyn and Ralph’s property caused by a negligent developer was the impetus to become involved in local politics. The flood required her to communicate regularly with members of council and others in the Borough. It didn’t take long for them to recognize her natural political acumen. They encouraged her to run for a council seat that was held by a well known local good old boy. She went to every single house in Franklin Park Borough explaining why she was the right person for the job. She was victorious and spent the next 11 years serving. She held the position of Vice President for multiple years and was on the finance committee. She was extremely proud of all the projects in which she was involved but the YMCA on Nicholson Road and the Junior Councilperson program were highlights.

After Ralph passed away, she moved to Florida where she built a home and lived in the same community as her childhood best friend. Marilyn jumped right into the action when she ran for the HOA board, naturally was victorious, and was part of the finance committee. She loved to be busy and occupied her time going to the fitness center almost daily, trying new (and old) restaurants with friends, attending church, clogging, game nights, and of course, entertaining.

Marilyn enjoyed an active lifestyle and social calendar and at the center of it was always her family and friends.

She came back to Pittsburgh in November 2022 and was able to spend her last days surrounded by family. She was small, but mighty and fought for what she believed in, always. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her.

The family ask for NO flowers please. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Forbes Hospital Rehab Services at AHN Development 4818 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Please note “In memory of Marilyn Corey” in the memo line. It is because of Forbes Rehab that Marilyn had some quality of life after her stroke.

A memorial service and Mass of Christian Burial will be held to honor Marilyn’s life on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 10:30 am at Saint Luke the Evangelist (aka: Saints John and Paul) in Franklin Park. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects prior to the mass from 10:00 am.