Marianne Schnabel Hannum

HUDSON - Marianne Schnabel Hannum, 80, of Kent and Hudson, Ohio, passed away peacefully, wrapped in her daughter’s loving arms, on Good Friday, April 7, 2023.

She was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, December 31, 1942, to her parents, the late Ruth Louise (Lowe) and Dale Harris Schnabel. After graduating from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1960, she left to pursue her teaching degree at Bowling Green State University. During her time at BGSU, she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, where she met life-long friends. This group of eight women traveled together regularly and have rotated a hand-written round robin letter since their college days. During Covid, those friends transitioned to a weekly zoom call and then moved to a monthly call, which continues today. The most beautiful 63-year friendship!

After graduation in 1964, Marianne followed her passion and began teaching kindergarten in Cuyahoga Falls, and then Stow City Schools, where she taught for most of her career. She absolutely loved being a teacher and made a positive impact on the students who entered her classroom. It was hard to go anywhere in northeast Ohio without someone recognizing her as Mrs. Hannum, the kindergarten teacher! There she also developed an amazing group of friends, many of whom are still part of her life. After a fabulous 36 years of teaching, she retired in 2000, just in time to welcome her first grandchild.

Marianne had an extensive network of friends from all areas of her life. She enjoyed her “book bag” friends, a group that evolved from her church involvement. She also enjoyed time with her dancing group and spent every Wednesday night for many years dancing and dining out. Various bible study groups were also important to her. She and a friend were instrumental in starting the Stow teachers’ “retired teachers lunch,” which still meets monthly.

Marianne always had an artistic flair, whether that was taking painting classes, wearing a bright scarf to jazz up any outfit, changing up the decor in her home, creating the most beautiful tablescape for every holiday gathering, or doing endless crafts with her students and then grandchildren.

While Marianne was an overall “lover of life,” her ultimate joy came from spending time with family, especially her daughter, Kara Catherine Hannum Lewis, husband, Damon, and her four grandchildren, Mackenzie, Reed, Cooper, and Laine. Sweet Nana could always be found at a school event, volunteering in the library, being the “lunch nana,” going back to her roots and spending time in the classroom of one of her grandchildren or cheering them on from the sidelines at a variety of sporting events. Wherever Kara, Damon, and her grandkids were, that is where she wanted to be!

She also spent many days entertaining her grandkids at the family farm, always up for a wild ride on a Gator or go-kart! While she never met a boat that didn’t make her sea-sick, she still enjoyed countless weekends at the family lake house, watching the kids enjoy water sports mostly from the deck - or her favorite, the screened-in-porch!

Her infectious laugh and grand smile lit up every room she entered. Even during the challenges of the last nearly four years, she never ever complained. Instead, she always remained thankful and tackled each day with extreme class and grace. She truly lived by a couple of her favorite mottos: “Always stay humble and kind” and “Always be kinder than you feel.” She had that one on a sticky note as she walked out of the house each day!

We will miss absolutely everything about Marianne, and our lives will never be the same. We will work to continue her legacy of kindness by spreading joy wherever we go. Until we meet again . . . and then we will be able to hear that laugh echoing in the halls of heaven forevermore.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Dale Schnabel; former husband and father of her daughter, Larry Hannum; sister-in-law, Patricia Hannum, and brother-in-law, Larry Horn. She leaves behind her daughter, Kara Hannum Lewis, and family of Hudson, Ohio; as well as a sister, Judi Horn of Willard, Ohio; and nephew, Travis Horn of Montana. In addition, she leaves behind countless friends who will tell wonderful “Marianne stories” for years to come.

The family would like to thank the entire group of selfless helpers, especially Katy Dietz, who enabled her to have such an enjoyable life these last few years.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, April 28, 2023, at 4:00 PM, at Christ Community Chapel - Hudson Campus, 750 W. Streetsboro Street, Hudson, Ohio 44236. The family will receive friends at a Celebration of Life on Friday, April 28, 2023, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM, at the Country Club of Hudson, 2155 Middleton Road, Hudson, Ohio 44236.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made through a donation in her memory to Akron Children’s Hospital:

giving.akronchildrens.org

Children were always a significant part of her life, and she was especially thankful for the care her grandson, Cooper, received as a preemie at Akron Children’s Hospital.