Marilyn J. Stowell
Help us celebrate Marilyn! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember Marilyn.
Marilyn Jantz Stowell, age 93, passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, with family by her side, on March 26, 2021.
Marilyn was born in Shutesbury and graduated from Amherst Regional High School with academic and athletic honors. Marilyn attended nursing school, but selflessly interrupted her career training to help her family through adverse times.
Marilyn met and married the love of her life, Glenn W. Stowell, Jr, shortly after he returned from serving in the United States Army during World War II. They raised seven children in a loving family home in Amherst, before moving to Hadley for their retirement. Marilyn and Glenn Jr. celebrated 70 years of marriage together.
Marilyn was an adoring wife and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family. Visiting family members were greeted with her cheerful smile and often found themselves joining her to watch a sporting event on television, (i.e., Red Sox, Patriots, horse racing), play her favorite card game (Rummy), snack on freshly made brownies or chocolate chip cookies, or work side-by-side to piece together intricate jigsaw puzzles. Summertime family picnics in her backyard were woven with sounds of laughter, children playing, Marilyn's homemade potato salad (everyone's favorite!), and an occasional competitive round of croquet.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Nancy (Jim) Layzer, Janice (Eric) Clark, Glenda Stowell, Glenn (Judy) Stowell III, Diane (Gregg) Adams, Carol (Bo) Allis, and David Stowell. In addition, she leaves behind her 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, her sisters, Carol Heustis and Bette Boudway, and many nieces and nephews. Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Glenn Stowell, Jr., her parents, Henry and Jennie Jantz, and three siblings, Lawrence Jantz, Henry Jantz, and Marjorie Jantz Olanyk.
There will be a private graveside service in Shutesbury. Memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics of Massachusetts (SOMA), 512 Forest Street, Marlborough MA 01752 or online at SpecialOlympicsMA.org. Expressions of sympathy available at www.wrisleyfuneralhome.com.