Marilyn Catherine (Pickens) Giffen

Marilyn Catherine (Pickens) Giffen, 97, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Marilyn

was born in Hamilton, Ohio, January 27, 1926, to Albert E. and Catherine S. Pickens. She

attended Butler County, Ohio, schools and graduated from Seven Mile High School in 1944. On

January 27, 1948, when Marilyn married Ray A. Giffen in the Seven Mile Presbyterian Church,

she went from being a “city girl” to a hard-working farm wife. There was no job on the farm she

wouldn’t tackle. Over their first sixteen years of marriage, Marilyn and Ray had seven children.

While it’s said, “Many hands make light work,” Marilyn cared lovingly for all those hands. After

all the kids were in school, Marilyn took a job at General Telephone & Electric in Oxford, Ohio,

from which she retired after seventeen years. She was a dedicated member of First United

Presbyterian Church of College Corner, Union School PTO, College Corner Community Club,

and a neighborhood group, Chattering Stitchers. In 1972, Marilyn first became a grandmother,

and there was nothing that delighted her more than visits with grandchildren and

great-grandchildren, and later, great-great-grandchildren. Even in her later years, the little ones

would bring a smile to her face and make her eyes twinkle. Marilyn leaves to cherish her

memory: daughters Gail Cole and Gwen (Jerry) Wiggins of Miamisburg, OH, Gina Hillman of

Centerville, OH, Geri (Mike) Murray of Liberty, IN, and daughter-in-law Tracy Giffen of

Centerville, IN; and sons Gary (Linda) Giffen of Loudon, TN, and Gene (Nancy) Giffen of Liberty,

IN. Grandchildren include Valerie Cole, Tony (Lori) Cole, Jeff (Ashley) Giffen, Jenny (Kevin)

Farris, Brian (Alesha) Wiggins, David Wiggins, Joe Drayer, Meghan (Brian) Lynch, Emily (Dana)

Arent, Andy (Megan) Murray, Alex (Brooke) Murray, Adam (Emily) Giffen, Tyler (Mike) Giffen,

Shelby Giffen, Derrick (Jeralyn) Giffen, Royce (Jordan) Giffen, Nick Kratzer, Madalyn (Eric)

Converse, Adam (Allison) Kratzer, and Jennifer Kratzer. Twenty-one great-grandchildren survive

her, with three more expected in 2023; three great-great-grandchildren survive, with one more

expected this year. Marilyn also leaves one sister, Cheryl (David) Iovino of Fairfield, OH; cousins

and many dear nieces and nephews survive. Besides her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death

by her beloved husband, Ray, in 2005; son Greg Giffen in 2011; and sons-in-law Greg Hillman

and Ron Cole. She was also predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law Donna and Gerald Hall.

A visitation will be held at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, 312 West Union Street,

Liberty, IN, on Monday, July 24, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., followed by a private graveside

service. Burial will be in Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville, OH. If donors are so inclined,

memorial gifts to Ohio’s Hospice (www.ohioshospice.org) would be greatly appreciated.

Marilyn’s family would like to express sincere thanks to Bethany Village, Centerville, OH, for

their compassionate and respectful care of Marilyn since November, 2017.