Marian Lucille Secard

Marian Lucille Smith Schroeder Secard, age 91, a long-time resident of Bath, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29th, 2024, with her loving husband of 53 years, Donald L. Secard, by her side. 

Born February 16th, 1933, in McKeesport, Pa., daughter of Sylvester and Ruth Moon Smith, Marian grew up developing her love of art and expressing it through set-design, murals, and post-war posters. Following her graduation from McKeesport High School in 1950, Marian pursued her artistic talents through work at Polsky’s Department Store, in Akron, Ohio. She met and married Chalmers Schroeder and they together raised their beloved son, Mark. After Chalmer’s death, Marian enrolled in the University of Akron, graduated with a Masters in Art Education, then took a position in the Bath School District as an elementary art teacher.

In 1971, Marian met and married Donald L. Secard. Marian left education and together she and Don moved to The Hague, Netherlands where Don’s position with BF Goodrich took them. Both Marian and Don loved to travel and their time abroad took them through Europe, Russia, Israel, and Africa. 

On their return to Bath in 1981, Marian returned to her artistic talents and began painting, subsequently producing an art show of her own work. Marian also spent her time serving several years as a volunteer in Akron General Hospital. In addition to her paintings and volunteer work, Marian possessed a life-long love of animals which showed itself through her menagerie of pets.

She is survived by her husband Donald Secard, her son Mark Schroeder, her step-children, Amy Meland, Julie Hoffman, and Clark Secard, her niece Jann Greene, nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Family will be received at a private memorial service at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, with interment at Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairlawn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marian’s memory may be made to Summit County Humane Society. 

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH 44333.