Marlyn Lee Smolenski

Marlyn Lee Smolenski (nee Miller) April 9, 1937 - November 14, 2024.

Marlyn Lee Smolenski entered eternal rest on November 14, 2024. Marlyn (Mar) was born on April 9, 1937, in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore, MD, and was the beloved daughter of Frederick Charles Miller and Ivy May Miller (nee Harrison.)

Mar was a loving, positive and generous woman who began in childhood assisting in the care of younger siblings. During high school years, Mar went to work to help support the family. Mar was an accomplished athlete in basketball, softball, paddleball, bowling, and roller skating. Mar loved to work with her hands sewing, crocheting, painting ceramics, or blanket-making, with many given as gifts to others. As a devoted mother, Mar volunteered at school as a room mother, physical education teacher, driver's education, tutoring, and various community services. Mar was honored to work at the voting polls and serve as an election judge for decades. Mar selflessly gave blood and platelet donations at Johns Hopkins Hospital for many years. Mar loved dancing at the Balco Club and traveling via bus or ship. Mar enjoyed reading books.

Mar began an administrative career at the Maryland Casualty Insurance Company where a co-worker introduced her to the love of her life. That was Joseph. Whilst raising their four children, Mar continued to work full and part-time more than 28 years in administration and finance with Sears until retirement.

On a personal level, Mar “roller skated” through life enjoying each day. First and foremost, Mar was a cheerleader for the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all were the light of her life. Mar took immense pride in their achievements and happiness. Mar was “point guard” for many celebrations with family and friends. Mar’s meal specialties included spaghetti sauce with meatballs; sour beef and dumplings that were “lay-ups” to the delicious cookies that Dad thought were a slam dunk! Never losing her sense of humor, Mar faced difficulties like a cruise ship cutting through waves of the ocean and made friends in every port Mar landed. Mar would give people the shirt off her back. 

Spiritually Mar’s life is best exemplified by Luke 6:38 (ESV) which reads, "give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." Mar was rich in faith and love. After dancing around the bases of life, Mar slid into the home base of heaven "safe" because Mar trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mar’s generosity will be remembered by everyone Mar had the pleasure of knowing and leaving us with many fond memories. 

Mar is survived by children: John R. Smolenski and his wife Angela, Susan A. Greene and her husband Denton of Charleston, SC., Carol L. Rehak and her husband Michael, and James (Jim) R. Smolenski. Mar was blessed with nine grand/step-grandchildren; plus nine great grandchildren/step-grandchildren with the 10th on the way. Mar was referred to as granny or grandmar. John, Sue, and Jim are especially grateful to the hospitality and support from Carol and Mike for the years of care at the Rehak home. Thank you!

Mar is survived by a sister Sharon Brechtel and her husband Richard, Sr., and brother Dennis Miller and his wife Cindy; by Sisters-in-law: Angelina Miller of Maryland and Ruth Miller of Oklahoma; by many nieces and nephews and extended families. 

Mar is survived by countless friends who were like family, especially best friend for more than 63 years, LaVerna Galliher.

Mar was preceded in death by husband, Joseph William Smolenski, parents, Frederick and Ivy Miller, and brothers, Charles Thomas Miller, Robert Frederick Miller, William Russell Miller, John Edward Miller, Wayne Allen Miller, and Daniel Albert Miller.

Please join us celebrating Marlyn’s life Saturday morning November 23, 2024, between 10:00 – 12:00 noon at Connelly Funeral Home, 7710 Sollers Point Rd, Dundalk, MD, 21222. The funeral service begins at noon. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or online at stjude.org/givehope