Marilyn Fox Gleber
September 2, 1926 - October 4, 2023
Without her usual fanfare, Marilyn Fox Gleber slipped quietly into rest on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Millcroft in Newark after sharing a joyful 97th birthday party in September with most of her 6 children, 12 grandchildren and 9 great grands. She lived every day smiling, reaching out to help others, volunteering for good causes and organizing inclusive activities.
Born in Newark, NJ on September 2, 1926 to the late Waldo and Minerva (Benzing) Fox, she adopted Newark, DE as her home beginning as a cheerleader for Newark High’s Class of 1944. Marilyn completed her BS at Boston University in Health & Physical Education, married Jacob A. Gleber (1951) and created vivacious/rollicking homes for six children as they moved around the country for 15 years with DuPont before returning to Newark!
Forever the athlete, Ms. Gleber taught physical education at Holy Angels School, played golf, tennis, skied and medaled on the DE Senior Olympics volleyball team, remaining active well into her 80s. She was an over-active volunteer of too many organizations to mention: Senior Centers, Lions Club (please send your unused glasses to them), New Century Club, Blood Bank, Democratic committee, Academy of Life-Long Learning, Wilmington Ski Club, Welcome Wagon, docent at several theaters, …
An avid Bridge player, Marilyn loved strategy and challenge to the end, even teaching Bridge to several residents at Millcroft. During recent conversations friends describe Mom as: feisty, a real character, energizer bunny, spitfire, always looking on the bright side, a firecracker, and personification of the word ‘friend’. She loved to travel and never met a stranger!
Her high energy, joyful style and engaging conversations mixed with ‘well spun‘ stories will be missed by all, especially her children: Robert & Shari Golde Gleber (Wilmington DE: Jason, Jon, Jamie); Jaclyn Gleber & Fedele Musso (Chester Springs PA: Trent, Austen, Peter); Mary Jo Gleber Cogan (San Diego CA: Caitlin, Amanda, Dawna); Charles & Sherry Fletcher Gleber (Little Rock AR), Stephen Gleber & Sarah Bear (Charlotte NC), Conrad Gleber (Annapolis MD: Danielle, Olivia, Ryan).
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 12 pm on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a Christian celebration of life will begin at 12 pm. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s memory to Habitat for Humanity International, 322 West Lamar Street, Americus, GA 31709-3543 or online by clicking here.
Thank you for joining our family to celebrate her long and beautiful life; we were truly blessed.
Lee F Simeone
Condolences to the family for your loss. She was a very pretty lady with many passions and achievements in her life that appears to have fulfilled many.
Mary Jo Cogan
My mom brought joy and laughter wherever she went! She enjoyed people and my friends always looked forward to her visits to San Diego. She was one of my closest friends and I will miss her every day! Until I see you again, Mom💕
Caitlin Doemner
What a beautiful tribute to an exceptional women! We will miss her and cherish her memory in our hearts.
Elsie Gibson
I am so sorry. Marilyn was a dear friend. I will always miss her. I have known Marilyn since Steven and Charlie were small and the Gleb ers lived in Covered Bridge Farms.
Jaclyn Gleber
Her love brightened my life with positive, encouraging insight … touched w humor! An amazing people person, she looked for the good in everyone and learned something new to share daily! Couldn’t have had a better coach, role model or life long friend🥰
Lynn Mankin
Mrs. Gleber was a wonderful neighbor, always willing to share anything we needed. She was definitely an exuberant personality, positive and pleasant to the core. Condolences from the Mankin family to her children, grandchildren, and other family members.
Mary Boord
With greatest condolences-
Mary Boord
Yolanda Hoffman
I loved your mom’s energy & personality. She had more spunk than even my friends at age 60. I consider her a friend and enjoyed my time with her. Pete, my husband was her personal chauffeur/ errand runner and I called him her young escort. He enjoyed her company too. My mom thought of Marilyn as her best friend and only wished she had met her earlier in life. Miss her smiling face and quick wit.
Karen Pennington Burk
Dear Marilyn’s family,
My parents were dear friends of your parents. Dad, Bill (Dud) Pennington, worked for DuPont for 35 years and that’s how they met. After my mom died in 1994, Marilyn used to regale us with Niagara Falls’ tales. She brought cookies to my dad and kept his spirits soaring. She even drove to Hershey, PA, to visit a few times. She and I have kept in touch over the years with birthday, Christmas, and occasional cards. She never failed to brighten my day. When she couldn’t write as much, we talked on the phone. I truly miss the present of her presence.
I know she’s above with her buddies, sitting at the bridge table, keeping everyone roaring with laughter!
With love and remembrance,
Karen Pennington Burk