Marilyn Jean Curliss

Marilyn Jean Curliss, who set an everlasting example of love and care for her family, died on February 4, 2024, in Nicholasville, Kentucky. She was 86.

Born on December 26, 1937, to George Weigand and Irene Mirus in Cincinnati, Ohio, Marilyn’s life was filled with the joy of simple pleasures. She would often relax to the rhythm of cross-stitching or knitting, and her artwork decorates homes in multiple states. She was an avid bowler, often holding her own against even the men in mixed-couple leagues across the Tri-state region. She loved playing games, puzzles, and cards, not just for the competition but for the camaraderie that it fostered with family and friends.

Marilyn especially loved her hometown, and she was a graduate of Western Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati. She soaked up the traditions and culture of Cincinnati – including as a steadfast fan of her beloved Reds baseball team. She saw the Reds play in many cities and stadiums, and was unwavering in her support and knowledge of the roster not just in the great years but even in the (dare we even say it?) thin ones.

Throughout her long career in human resources administration at the David J. Joseph Company, Marilyn not only excelled professionally but also cultivated deep and lasting friendships that endured long after retirement. For a period of time, one of her tasks was to secure tickets to area events for employees and company customers – and she was able to enjoy access to many of the region’s venues as a result, from Riverbend to Riverfront to the Taft Theatre and, later, the Aronoff.

Marilyn’s greatest joy, however, was her family. She cherished time spent traveling and visiting with her children, Philip (Annette) Schnur and Debbie (Frank) D’Alesio, and her stepchildren, Andy (Nikki) Curliss and Heather Curliss. Her grandchildren, Virginia (James) Christie, Amy (Chris) Schnur, Victoria D’Alesio, Bella D’Alesio, Madelyn (Louis) Momchilov, Jake Momchilov, and Claire Curliss, lit up her life. Marilyn’s heart expanded even further with the arrival of her great-grandchildren, Annabel and Jamie Christie, Ava Schnur, and Nadia D’Alesio.

Marilyn very much enjoyed the trips to see and support her family, and she counted visits to Hawaii as among her most memorable.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim Curliss, her daughter, Linda Cole, and her brother, George “Jerry” Weigand.

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Bluegrass Hospice Care.

A service celebrating Marilyn’s life will be held on March 1, 2024, with visitation starting at 12:30 PM at Arlington Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Cincinnati (Follow the BLUE line on cemetery grounds to get to the funeral home). Memorial Service will begin at 1:30 PM, burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Gardens at 2:30 PM.