Marjorie "Margie" Lenk Hollish's Obituary
Marjorie “Margie” Lenk Hollish, 88, started charming everyone in Heaven on Aug. 6, 2025.
At the time of her passing, Margie was living in Tucson, Ariz., with her husband of more than 58 years, Joe – but Margie’s life spanned multiple cities, states, and continents, all of which were positively impacted by her presence.
Born on July 23, 1937 in Akron, Ohio to Joseph and Marie Lenk, Margie graduated from Garfield High School in 1955 and went on to earn her degree in elementary education from the University of Akron. At a time when most women her age were getting married and having children, Margie forged her own independent path, launching her 35-year teaching career with her first positions in Florida and Ohio. During this time, Margie also formed strong and lifelong relationships with her nieces and nephews, many of whom considered her their favorite aunt and second mom.
Margie was a great beauty who had no shortage of suitors, and Joe was the lucky one she picked. They married in 1967, when Margie was 29. They lived in Akron and Philadelphia until they joined the Peace Corps in 1970. They spent two years in India, in the State of Odisha (then Orissa), in the town of Talcher, where Joe taught machine shop and Margie taught English. At that time, married couples were allowed in the Peace Corps, but the Peace Corps did not typically give the wives a job. Margie insisted that if they were going to India, she must work, too – and she did, making lifelong friends in the process.
In 1979, Margie and Joe settled in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where they lived the bulk of their life together. Margie taught reading at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School and third grade at Elmwood Elementary School. Margie had a particular talent for helping children learn to read and love reading, which she not only shared with thousands of students but with her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children over the course of her life. In retirement, Margie and Joe moved to Benson, Ariz., to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Across the many travels and moves of her lifetime, Margie was known for maintaining relationships and showing her love for her friends and family by sending hand-written cards and letters, calling, and when her vision faltered in later years, using “Hey Siri!” to text. She also possessed a special ability to make conversation and friends with anyone, anywhere she went.
Margie's Catholic faith was always an important part of her life. She often attended Mass on weekdays, as well as Sundays, and she distributed communion to the homebound and nursing home residents for years. She often said she couldn't imagine life without her strong faith and His help.
Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Marie Lenk; her brother, Joseph Lenk; and her sisters, Gloria Galloway and Darla Lenk. She is survived by her husband, Joe; daughter Christine (Douglas) Frost; daughter Karen; grandsons Alex and Max Frost; granddaughter Shannon Frost, and countless beloved grandpets, nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, and friends.
Thank you to Bari Orozco, Ray Ruiz, and the Catalina Hospice and Cascades teams for providing such kind and compassionate care to Margie and her family during her life’s last chapter. Services will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please support the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) campaign in Margie’s memory online at https://support.hssaz.org/margie or by mailing a check to HSSA at 635 West Roger Road, Tucson, AZ 85705.
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