Marilyn Jean Salo

Marilyn Jean Salo, 84, passed away unexpectedly June 20th at the Ashtabula County Nursing & Rehab Center. She will be missed by family and friends. Marilyn was born July 9th, 1933, in Ashtabula Harbor, the daughter of the late Martin and Signe (Bihlajama) Ruuska.

Marilyn graduated in 1951 from Harbor High School, then she lived in Kingsville for 51 years.
Marilyn was a fun-loving person who enjoyed being around people and always had a smile on her face. Her many activities included being a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, trustee of the Finnish American Heritage Association and Pounds Away Weight Watchers. She was willing to help anyone in need, and was a 20-year caregiver to her parents. She was a fan of both OSU Football and Cleveland Indians Baseball, and was nicknamed Mel, after the Cleveland Indians pitcher, Mel Harder. She enjoyed dining out and going out with her monthly birthday group. She enjoyed having and going to garage sales, working in her flower garden and traveling to Finland, California, Upstate New York, Branson, Missouri, Cape Cod, Nashville, along with numerous trips to Columbus, Ohio, Front Row Theatre and Cleveland Playhouse Square. Her favorite close-to-home summertime spot was Eddie's Grill at Geneva-on-the-Lake. She was proud of her Finnish heritage and tells some of her family's story in the book, "My Father Spoke Finglish at Work."

She is survived by her husband and childhood sweetheart, James Salo. They were married May 8, 1954, at Old Bethany Lutheran Church and recently celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Marilyn is also survived by sons Timothy of Kingsville, Steven (Theresa) of North Kingsville, and daughter Kristy (Jay) Woelfel of Glendale, California, and numerous cousins.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial celebration of her life, followed by a light lunch, on July 6th with visitation from 10-11AM and the service starting at 11AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 876 Grove Street, Conneaut OH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Western Reserve, Ashtabula, Good Shepherd Lutherand Church, Conneaut, or the Finnish American Heritage Association, Ashtabula OH.

We would like to thank Hospice of Western Reserve and the Ashtabula County Nursing & Rehab Center for her excellent care.