Marilyn F. Bullock, 91, rejoined her husband Donald B. Bullock in death on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 5:48 p.m. at Lima Memorial Health Systems.
She was born the youngest of three children to Clair B. and Bertha (Mason) Fett on April 14, 1930 in Bluffton, Ohio, where she grew up; graduating in the class of 1948. She continued her education at Miami University of Ohio from which she graduated in 1951. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary to three engineers at Armco Steel Corporation for one year before becoming the secretary to the Treasurer of the company for nearly three years.
On April 16, 1955 she married her husband of over 51 years, and they lived all over the United States. Living in Cincinnati, Huntington, NY, Boston, MA, back to Cincinnati, and retiring in Fairfield Glade, TN until her husband became ill and they moved to Maple Crest in Bluffton.
Together they had two sons; Scott Bullock of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and William Bullock of Carolina Shores, NC.
Like her father before her, Marilyn was an avid bridge player, a game she enjoyed playing her entire adult life. A self-taught knitter while in high school, she had made many sweaters, caps, scarves, mittens and afghans.
She endured living with Multiple Sclerosis most of her adult life. After a rough first year with the disease, she made up her mind to not let it destroy her life. After becoming legally blind from MS in 1977, she simply bought jumbo sized playing cards with which to play bridge, and began knitting with heavier yarn. It was after losing a good part of her sight that she knit more than forty afghans for family, friends, church bazaars, and the Mennonite Memorial Home. In more recent years, she knit numerous caps and mittens for The Bluffton Presbyterian Church to distribute to those in need.
Marilyn thoroughly enjoyed reading, which she did through the "Talking Book" program; "reading" two or three books a week, since all she had to do to "read" was listen, she could knit at the same time. Marilyn also liked to bake. For many years during the Christmas season, she baked at least 16 types of cookies, most of which she gave away.
Marilyn co-chaired her high school class's 60th reunion in 2008.
In addition to her two sons, Marilyn is survived by three granddaughters; Katherine, Claire, and Maxine Bullock.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister; Genevieve Graham, and a brother; James Fett.
The family would like to note that Marilyn loved Bluffton, she loved God, she loved her family, and she loved her life. Her favorite ice cream was butter pecan and her and Don's favorite song was Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael. The Fett people date back to the foundation of Bluffton. Her father Clair ran the Bluffton Slaw Cutter Corporation and her uncle Gilbert owned and operated the local hardware store. Marilyn spent many of her younger days folding boxes at her father's business, working for only 10 cents an hour. She also worked for the Triplet Company, and collected stamps from all over the world. This fueled her dreams for adventures to come. As a girl growing up on Campus Drive, she built dams on Riley Creek in the summertime, and in the winter, loved skating on the frozen creek. She and Don married in Bluffton at her home church of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 900 S. Broadway Denver, Colorado 80209 or to the Cincinnati Association for the Blind, 2045 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
