Marilyn Mae Howard Hess

Marilyn (Mae Howard) Hess passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the age of 91. She was a native of Franklin Grove, Illinois, having also lived in Iowa City, Iowa; Royal Oak, Michigan; New Orleans, Louisiana and Mount Clemens, Michigan prior to her current residence in Hammond, Louisiana. Marilyn graduated from Franklin Grove High School and the University of Iowa with a Nursing degree. She worked as a Registered Nurse for over 35 years including jobs at West Jefferson Hospital in New Orleans; St. Jospeh’s Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan; Chrysler Financial in Troy, Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield in Detroit, Michigan. All the while, she was a devoted mother raising six children with her husband. In spite of her full-time job and demanding schedule, Marilyn always found time for her kids and to help others. She was extremely creative and assisted her children through numerous award-winning school projects. She personally won the 1973 Fleur de Lis Garden Club Tri-Color Award. After retirement, Marilyn managed the office of Dr. James C. Hess, OB-GYN, her son, in Hammond. She was an exceptionally wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was a true matriarch of the entire Hess family. Everyone enjoyed her cooking especially around the holidays. She had a special way of putting her own twist on foods creating some memorable family favorites like fettuccini, tomato pie, potato soup, Russian pancakes and “Grammy” eggs. Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clement John Hess, of 57 years. She is survived by her children: Janna Rode, James Hess (Mary), Suzanne Howe (Bob), Matthew Hess (Patti), John Hess (Linda), and William Hess. She leaves behind one sister, Doris Wasson. Marilyn is also survived by her grandchildren: Erin Rode-Fiorello (Jesse), Megan Rode, Jimmy Hess, Matthew Hess (Zhaoxia), Christopher Hess, Rebecca (Benjamin), Samantha Sawyer (Robert), Sara Hess, Ryan Hess, Andrea Hess, Maggie Hess; as well as her great-grandchildren: Sawyer & Parker Fiorello; Ethan Hess; Cecelia, Luke & Isaac. Daughter of the late Charles & Margery Howard, she is also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Lindsey, brother, John “Bud” Howard and sister, Janet Raschiella. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation held in the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home on Highway 190, west of Hammond on Monday, July 19, 2021, beginning at 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. The interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Marilyn Hess to the Tangi Humane Society (www.tangihumanesociety.org) or the Richard Murphy Hospice House (www.richardmurphyhospice.com).

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Marilyn Mae Howard Hess

March 31, 1930 - July 15, 2021