Marilyn Mae Paolini
Marilyn, age 95, died on September 12th, 2026. Marilyn was born in Shawano, Wisconsin on July 18, 1931, to Earl and Grace (Wiegand) Tipton. In 1936 the family moved to Cumberland, Maryland where Marilyn graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1949. She was one of five juniors selected for the National Honor Society. Marilyn graduated from National College for Christian Workers, Kansas City, Missouri in 1953 with a degree in elementary education. She worked at the Deaconess Home in Community Center in Camden, New Jersey for two years where she met her husband John Paolini and then taught school in New Jersey.
She studied Islam at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut 1959-1960, then French in Paris, France from 1960-1961 prior to being a Methodist missionary in Algeria from 1961-65 where she and John adopted their first two children, Rosina and Marc. Marilyn was listed in “Outstanding Young Women in America,1965.”
In 1968, after her third child, Jon was born, her family moved to Lincoln. Marilyn worked at Region V Services from 1973-1996. After retiring, she worked in lunch services for the Lincoln Public Schools until her final retirement in June 2010. Marilyn was actively engaged in volunteer work; elementary schools, Bryan West Hospital, various performing choirs and the Lied Center to name a few. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. Marilyn loved to travel extensively, primarily with the Friendship Force. She also befriended many international students at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln who became her family.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter Rosina Paolini, sons Marc and Jon Paolini, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. Marilyn was happiest surrounded by community and family.
A service will be held on Friday, September 25, 10am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3000 Old Cheney Road. Colorful attire was always appreciated by Marilyn. Lunch will follow the service.
No flowers please. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Lincoln Food Bank or Lincoln Habitat for Humanity.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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Condolences for Marilyn Mae Paolini
Dearest Marilyn, You have lived such an extraordinary life touching so many lives and souls near and far! Thank you for providing a home away from home in Lincoln, my first stop in the US, almost 30 years ago! The memories of warm holidays and joyful road trips stood out as my memories of Lincoln! Thank you for embracing our whole family as yours! We feel your love always, and our love to you is eternal ❤️ May you rejoice in Heaven with the LORD! We will miss you until we see you again!
My deepest condolences to all of Marilyn’s loved ones! What a beautiful soul she was. I was honored to meet Marilyn through her volunteer work at Bryan Medical Center, West Campus. She was an extremely dedicated volunteer who thoroughly enjoyed greeting and wayfinding for patients, visitors and staff like. I always enjoyed our conversations. She was a true gem.
I worked with Marilyn for over 10 years at Region 5. We both worked there from the beginning. My sincerest condolences to Rosina, Marc, and “Jon-Jon”. (she always called you Jon-Jon!) Some of my fondest memories are of our very competitive but always fun card games over our lunch hours!! Marillyn was a kind and dear woman. I will miss her “handwritten” inspirational and newsy Christmas cards. May your cherished memories of your mother bring you comfort. Sending my deepest sympathies.
My sincerest condolences to Rosina, Marc, and “Jon-Jon”. (your mother always called Jon-Jon when you were young.) I worked with Marilyn at Region 5 for over 10 years. We were both there from the beginning. She was a dear and kindhearted woman. Some of my fondest memories are of our competitive but always fun card games during our lunch break. We all loved playing cards. May your memories bring comfort to you in this time of sorrow.
A true gem. I will miss her.
Marilyn was a wonderful Sister in Christ. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to say whenever we met. She was a joy to know, and I know she is at peace now surrounded by all who have passed on and knew her. Rest in Peace Marilyn, you were always a wonderful example to all who knew you.
My mother worked with Marilyn at Region V. Mary Jane Humphrey really enjoyed Marilyn and said many good things about her!
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Marilyn’s passing. She has done so much good and has had a great impact on many people. I wish the best for Rosina, Marc and John and all the other family members affected by this. Please accept my condolences.
I worked with Marilyn at Region V Services. She was a strong advocate for the people we served, had a great sense of humor, and was very kind. She was also a consummate lunch time pitch player! I visited with Marilyn when she and I attended the same concert at Savannah Pines. I’m very glad we got the opportunity to chat and catch up. I didn’t realize it was the last time I would see her. Rest in peace, my friend, after a life well-lived. My sincere condolences to all who loved her.
Here is the zoom link if you want to but cannot attend Marilyn’s funeral.
https://zoom.us/j/99020389667
I had an enormious learning experience and personal pleasure of working with Marilyn at Region V. She started Region V’s first newsletter which featured many activities but she was fantastic at interviewing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She learned their stories and shared them with pictures which made the person and the story come alive. I always insisted that she edit anything I wrote for publication since I love commas and wasn’t the best speller she’d ever come across. She not only edited, she taught so that corrections weren’t just one time, they were a learning opportunity. Marilyn was extremely smart, would tackle anything she was assigned – and do it better than requested. Marilyn was kind down to her scoks. No matter with whom she came in contact, she smiled that million dollar smile and made them feel like they were the most important person in her field of vision. She was a determined pitch player… and won most of the time. Marilyn ooozzzed love and I certainly loved her in return. I’ll miss our calls and laughs together – always.