Marion Lindell

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, successful advertising executive, concerned citizen working for the community through the Democratic Party & the youth development charity "The Movie Institute", Marion Lindell passed away peacefully the morning of Thursday, April 16, 2015. Marion was born August 20, 1926 in Corsicana, Texas and spent her early years growing up in the East Texas oil fields. While still very young, her family moved to Houston where she grew up and attended Rice University graduating in 1945 at the ripe old age of 18. Her earliest work experience was working in construction and petroleum publications, including being on the editorial staff of Gulf Publishing Co., Houston before going into agency work. At this time she met the love of her life, Elwood Lindell. Meeting long distance through collaborating companies, Elwood and Marion dated and quickly tied the knot on April 9, 1954 in Houston. They moved to Dallas and she then continued on with her career as Vice President of the Dallas public relations agency, The Cain Organization, Inc., handling special events and continuing programs for major trade associations and business clients. After leaving Cain she formed Marion Lindell/Public Relations, a PR counseling agency. In 1969, Elwood and Marion formed Lindell-Keys Company, an agency for advertising, public relations and marketing services. Their clients ranged from the hospitality business to heavy industry, with emphasis on communications for financial institutions. Twenty years later they remained in business as a personal consultancy and retired in the mid 1990’s. Although afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis in her early 40's this obstacle did not stop an independent, quick-witted Texas beauty like Marion from having a successful career in public relations. Marion was an inspiration to her peers and her employees by being fair, funny and formidable if need be. Her lengthy list of accomplishments include being a past secretary and President of the North Texas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), District Chairman Southwest District of PRSA, Information Director for Dallas Academy, recognized as Counselor in the profession of public relations, and recipient of the Matrix award from the Dallas Chapter of Women in Communications. She was also Vice Chairman of the United Way Public Relations Committee, and Chairman of the East Dallas Chamber of Commerce ad hoc Publication Committee. And if that is not enough, she was also a member of the Press Club of Dallas and a guest lecturer on public relations at area universities. With all these professional accomplishments and honors though, her greatest accomplishment was being a wonderful wife and loving mom; returning home each evening to begin cooking the evening meal and go over the events of everyone's day. She was quite the super mom before it became cool. In retirement Marion gave back by mentoring and teaching many young and old. She was an English mentor for foreign students looking to improve their language skills. Elwood and Marion also loved traveling and seeing new things, but also had a heart for simple pleasures and a profound love for their only daughter, Martha, her husband Keith and granddaughter Lauren. We celebrate Marion today; the consummate and honest professional, a dedicated Reagan Redcoat, a tenacious Rice owl, a world traveler and pilot, a loyal friend and relative and most of all, a faithful and caring wife of 62 years to Elwood, loving mom to Martha and doting grandmom to Lauren. Marion, we love and will carry you in our hearts forever. Survivors include daughter, Martha Duncan; granddaughter, Lauren Stark and son-in-law Keith Duncan. Services will be held in Chapel East and interment to immediately follow in the Hillcrest Mausoleum, both at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 7405 West Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225. There will be a reception to follow in the Sparkman Family Lounge. Relatives and friends are welcome. The time for all services will be announced and are under the direction of Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.