Opal "Aunt Marlene" Eddy

East Palestine- Opal Marlene Eddy, 83, formerly of Newport, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Covington Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation with her son, Phillip by her side.

Opal, who was known by everyone as “Aunt Marlene”, was born August 16, 1941 in Chester, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Carl and Mabel (Beaver) Gillespie.

A 1959 graduate of Oak Glen High School, Marlene continued her education at Mount Union College, pursuing a career in education.

She was a comforter, caretaker, friend and companion to all that she came into contact with.  Her southern accent often accompanied a sentiment to everyone, calling them “sweetheart”, “darlin’, “baby”, “honey’, “sweetie,” and several more terms of endearment. Over the years, she had taken care of over 20 people struggling with several ailments and she would welcome them into her home to care for them until the end of their lives with their different life-threatening illnesses.

Aunt Marlene loved the simple things in life.  She adored the color pink, flowers, wearing a fancy hat, and would give anything to anyone.  She often gave gifts to everyone who was around.  Aunt Marlene enjoyed going to antique stores and yard sales and always had an eye for the best small gifts for everyone. She was always up for any adventure that we would take her!  She loved going boating and enjoying God’s creation.

She would even get in the car to go on a trip saying “Where are we going again?” always up for an escapade that Melissa and her family would take her on!!!!

She lived a full and wonderful life, as a teacher and as a professional piano player and professional singer.  Marlene brought joy to many audiences over the years with her natural singing and musical talents, even in her final months and days, singing beautiful songs of old to her roommate, “Granny” and to her many friends at Covington.  Marlene was also involved with the prison ministries.  Her kind, gentle spirit and nurturing personality allowed her to bring peace and comfort to many inmates, who appreciated that she saw them as human begins who had made poor choices, rather than just outcasts of society.  Her soft-hearted and friendly manner will be remembered by anyone who ever had the privilege of meeting her.   

Her husband, Clarance P. Eddy, Jr, whom she married in 1975, preceded her in death in 2001.  She was also welcomed at heavens gates by her sons, David Pritchard and Nick Sardonis, and by her brother, Carl “David” Gillespie.  She took great comfort in knowing she would see them all again in Heaven.

She is survived by her son, Phillip Sardonis of Marietta, Ohio; her many nieces and nephews, countless friends and her church family.

A memorial service celebrating Marlene’s wonderful life will be held at 12 noon, Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the Tri-County Church of Christ, 425 East Vermont Street, Sebring, Ohio 44672 with Seth Johnson officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home.

Friends may view Marlene’s memorial tribute page, share a memory, and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com  

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