Obituary of Marilyn L. Oswald

Marilyn L. Oswald, age 87, of Penn Yan, NY, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024, with family by her side.

She was born on December 7, 1936 to Henry Krogh Charlsen and Eva Minerva Phillips. 

Marilyn met Dwayne Oswald at the old Elmwood Theater where she worked in the ticket booth. They were married in July of 1954 and they shared a wonderful life together for 60 years.  Marilyn enjoyed a variety of hobbies throughout her life: go kart racing, snowmobiling, crafts, camping, gardening, puzzles, sewing and being with her family. 

Marilyn was known as a hard worker, who always gave her best to any task. She had many jobs in her lifetime, but at the top of her list was raising 5 children.  She also worked at ACME grocery store as well as in the cafeteria at Penn Yan Express.  You would often hear her tell stories of her two favorite jobs though.  One of those jobs was working in the vineyards owned by life-long friends, Neil and Joyce Simmons.  She shared endless stories from each season in the vineyards on Bluff Point.  Her other favorite job was driving a school bus for Penn Yan Central School District. She had wonderful friendships with her colleagues and coffee friends. 

She is survived by her children: Pamela (Don) Osgood of Penn Yan, Henry Oswald of Hope, AR, Darrell Oswald of Hope, AR, Sue (Gerald) Sellers of Lexington Park, MD, and Glenda (Chris) Flynn of Corning; a sister Colleen (David) Wight of North Chili, and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and close friend, Chris Donovan. 

She is predeceased by her husband, Dwayne Oswald, her parents Henry and Eva Charlsen, her sisters Edna (Glenn) Reiners and Betty (Bud) Vermilye, and her brother Bruce Charlsen.

Friends and family may call from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, August 31st , 2024 at Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY 14527. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home at 1:00pm with interment following at Benton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Marilyn's memory to the Humane Society of Yates County, PO Box 12, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Memories of Marilyn maybe shared with family and friends at townsendwoodzinger.com