Marilyn Jane Hoover, 90, of State College, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Harmony at State College. Born on July 16, 1936, in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Glenna (Shattuck) Gingery. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Hoover, with whom she shared 35 years of marriage until his passing in 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Lynda Sullivan, and her husband Michael of State College; and her granddaughter, Sienna Jane Sullivan, also of State College. Marilyn was also preceded in death by her two siblings, Harold Gingery and Carol Ann Achilles.
A 1954 graduate of Cranford High School, Marilyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Cedar Crest College in 1958. She later studied at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she met her first husband, Gary Greth, Lynda’s father. Marilyn began her career as an elementary school teacher and later served as an administrative assistant in the Kinesiology department at Penn State University.
In retirement, Marilyn cherished time spent with family and friends, especially her granddaughter, Sienna. She also enjoyed traveling with her sister, Carol Ann, which often included trips to her home in upstate New York and lively trips to the casino. In her later years as a resident at Harmony of State College, she enjoyed taking part in many social activities including bridge, bingo and various group outings. She especially enjoyed Saturday morning visits from her daughter Lynda to play scrabble.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date and burial will be at Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.kochfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marilyn’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation at support.kidney.org