Obituary of Marilyn R. Walkerman

Marilyn R. Walkerman, 82, of Lakewood, NY, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 in WCA Hospital. A lifelong area resident, she was born March 29, 1928 in Jamestown, a daughter of the late Harold and Emogene Powers Rein. After graduating from Jamestown High School in 1946, she attended Elmira College until her marriage on September 11, 1948 to Robert K. Walkerman. While her four children were young Marilyn was a stay-at-home mother who sewed and knitted garments for her family. She instilled in them her love of reading and library visits. She was active in their school affairs, the PTA and as an assistant Girl Scout leader. During their school years she was also involved in the community as an active member of The Creche and the WCA Hospital Volunteer Association. In the 1970's she began her working career, first at the Good Morning Farm Gift Shop and later at Chase Bank, formerly the First National Bank of Jamestown. At the bank she was a branch manager in Lakewood and a commercial loan officer in the Jamestown office. During her banking years she continued her education at Jamestown Community College, receiving an associate degree in Liberal Arts plus extra credits in the banking field. After early retirement from the bank, Marilyn took up golf, enlarged her garden, traveled and began a genealogical search of her family, compiled family histories and joined the Jamestown Chapter of The DAR. She was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown where she served as an Elder, former Clerk of Session, Church Archivist and belonged to the Alpha Circle. She was also a member of The Fortnightly, Inc., the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club where she was an early sailor and the Transplant Garden Club. She had formerly served for several years as a board member and volunteer at St. Susan Center. Marilyn has compiled booklets for high school and church anniversaries, as well as Fortnightly yearbooks. In addition to her husband Robert, surviving are four children: Stephen Walkerman (Michelle Price) of S. Burlington, VT, Jane Anderson (Victor) of Jamestown, Betsy McKee (Alfred) of Longmeadow, MA and Amy Denn (Douglas) of Spotsylvania, VA; eight grandchildren: Karen Walkerman of Burlington, VT, Sally Walkerman of London, England, Annika Anderson of Jamestown, Linnea Anderson of Kingston, RI, Kathleen McKee Wojcik (Jacob) of Russell, MA, Ryan McKee of Longmeadow, MA, Andrew Denn of Fredericksburg, VA and Shelby Denn of Spotsylvania, VA; and two step-grandchildren, Samantha Price of California and Alexander Price of New York City. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, June Rein Wicker. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in Bellinger Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Thomas A. Sweet will officiate. Inurnment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends in Fellowship Hall of the church following the service Thursday. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 509 Prendergast Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701; or the Lakewood Memorial Library, 12 W. Summit St., Lakewood, NY 14750.