Marilyn Ann (Heldman) Osborn

Marilyn Ann Heldman Osborn, days just short of age 89, went to be with her Lord at Southwoods Assisted Living on March 21, 2025 surrounded by her adoring family.

Daughter of the late Ann Watson Heldman and Chester Heldman, Marilyn was born March 29, 1936, in Yonkers, New York. She lived most of her adult life in Oil City, Pennsylvania. She and her late husband, Jim Osborn, retired for twenty years to Mount Dora, Florida, but both finished out their final years as residents of Southwoods Assisted Living of Titusville, PA. Together, they resided for five of Marilyn’s fifteen years there.

Marilyn leaves behind her children, Bruce LaVerde (Angie) of Decatur, AL; Steve LaVerde (Nancy) of Richardson, TX; and Stacey (Matt) Sopher – Village of President, PA.  Two grandchildren, Matt Sopher III of Dawson, PA, and Evelyn Sopher of St. Petersburg, FL also survive her. In addition, a brother, John (Kathy) Heldman of The Woodlands, TX; and sister-in-law Rannie Lou Heldman of Lee’s Summit MO, as well as several nieces and nephews survive her.

Her parents, brother Chester Heldman and her adoring husband of 43 years, Jim Osborn, preceded Marilyn in death. 

Marilyn grew up in Yonkers, NY. She attended Gorton High School and received the Senior Superlative “best smile,” which many who knew her would agree lit up the room.  She graduated with an Education degree from Rutgers University. It was there she met her first husband, the late Dr. Philip S. LaVerde, with whom she had three children. During the early years of her first marriage, she taught elementary students at a parochial school.

Later in her life, Marilyn married the love of her life, Jim Osborn. The two of them enjoyed a long, loving marriage of forty plus years. They resided in Oil City until retirement and relocated to Mt. Dora, FL. Before moving to Florida, she was a member of Wanango Country Club and an active member in the Oil City community serving Meals on Wheels and participated in the Oil City Garden Club. Marilyn and Jim were members of Christ Episcopal Church of Oil City.

“Marsie”, as her family affectionately called her, lived a life full of travel, golf, and hosting family and friends at her Mt. Dora, FL home. She was a lover of all things chocolate. She unconditionally loved her family, children and grandchildren. As an avid reader, game player and crossword puzzle enthusiast, she enjoyed any trivia or word game activity and she won many of the annual “Spelling Bees” at Southwoods Assisted Living.  She instilled a love of learning and reading in her family. All who knew her will miss her strong opinions, quick wit, appreciative nature and ability to laugh at herself.

The family would like to express immense gratitude to the staff at Southwoods Assisted Living for their compassion and care during the past fifteen years. Even though Marilyn had dementia, she was an active participant in the many events and thoroughly enjoyed her last years living at the facility. The staff at Southwoods provided her with a rich life of activities and treated both Marsie and Jim with love, dignity and respect.  The family also wishes to thank Crawford County Hospice Care for all that they provided in her final months to keep her comfortable.

Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City, the Oil City Library, Boggy Creek Gang or as Marilyn would often say, “Do something for someone less fortunate.”

There will be no visitation; the family will have a private memorial at a later date.

The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn Ann (Heldman) Osborn, please visit our floral store.