Marilyn Jean Hubbard Herr's Obituary
Early morning, on December 26th, a beautiful soul, Marilyn Hubbard Herr, 92, received her heavenly wings. Marilyn Jean Hubbard Herr was born in Watertown, N.Y. on January 27, 1928 to Amos and Anita (Persons) Hubbard. No one could have foreseen that her smile would open the door to a magical place and become a beacon of love and hope for the children of Central New York.
Much of her childhood was spent in Watertown and surrounding villages, enjoying the country, her grandparents’ farm, singing in the church choir, and honing her acting skills in school plays and summer stock in Alexandria Bay.
After graduating from Watertown High School, Marilyn attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in N.Y.C. Upon graduation, Marilyn traveled with the Claire Tree Majors Theater group. The first year she played in the role of Mrs. Wiggs of The Cabbage Patch. Her second year, she starred as Barbara in The Poor Little Rich Girl. With the Claire Tree Majors Troupe, she traveled and performed in forty-eight states and in Mexico and Canada.
Marilyn married her childhood sweetheart, Edmund Herr, on Thanksgiving Day in 1953 at the Plaza Hotel in N.Y.C. Shortly after, they made their new home in Syracuse, N.Y.
Being an actress was Marilyn’s lifelong dream. She began her professional career at Channel 8 in Syracuse as Continuity Director. She was in a couple TV spots and then a short-lived show, Merrily’s Music Box, that was created to run while another show was on hiatus. But this brief stint led not only to a new show for children, but deep and lasting friendships.
In 1955, The Magic Toyshop debuted for the children of Central New York. And Merrily, the pretty proprietress, magically opened the door with a smile. Along with all the other loved characters, Marilyn came into the homes of Syracuse children to sing, dance, and enchant their lives. The memories of Magic Toyshop live in the hearts and memories of so many Central New Yorkers.
Women on television had much stricter standards back in the 1950’s. When Marilyn’s pregnancy began to show, the switchboard lit up with complaints from viewers. But instead of leaving the show, Marilyn and Eddie Flum Num wore smocks while she was pregnant. In fact, for her second child, Charles, Marilyn was in actual labor during the live show. She delivered him later that day. Many women didn’t have professional careers back then, and she did receive criticism for working instead of being a stay-at-home mother. But that didn’t deter her.
The Magic Toyshop was much more than the just a television show, and Marilyn devoted much of her time to public service. There were hospital visits to sick children, personal appearances at churches and schools, and yearly work for the Jerry Lewis Telethon to name a few. One of the most remembered activities was the annual Breakfast with Santa. She also volunteered at the Interreligious Council and the Erie Canal Museum.
After twenty-one years, the Magic Toyshop closed its doors, but Marilyn stayed on when it became Toyshop Corporation where she worked until 1982.
Marilyn’s remembrances in her final years of life were of the shared experiences and love from the Toyshop Crew. She had a special relationship with Jean Daugherty. Many family Christmas Eves were shared together with Jean and Mrs. “Dee”. Everyone who worked on Toyshop were much more than co-workers. They were a part of Marilyn’s family.
While working and raising her two children, Marilyn earned her Associate’s degree from Onondaga Community College. She then went on to Syracuse University to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in the Dramatic Arts. After retiring, she wrote and directed a play at Unity Church for Christmas Eve.
Marilyn loved the arts and animals, but her true passion, besides acting, was her family. Each grandchild proclaimed being the “favorite” and she would agree. Each one was her favorite for different reasons.
Her last few years were spent at the Cottages at Garden Grove in Cicero, N.Y. She immensely enjoyed her visits from family, friends, and her furry grandbabies. Much appreciation is felt for the aides and staff who provided her care and love when the family was no longer allowed visits due to COVID. She spoke highly and with love for you.
Marilyn is predeceased by her mother and father, Anita (Persons) and Amos Hubbard, and her husband, Edmund D. Herr. She is survived by her two children, Charles (Clavon) (Buffalo) and Corliss (Syracuse), eight grandchildren, Nicole (Morgan), Adrian, Adam (Kiarah), Candice, Benjamin (Sydney), Brian (Gillian), Consuella, and Corvair Sterling, along with a host of adorable great-grandchildren, Corvair Mekhi, Cori S, Grace, Averitt, Zendaiya, Cadence, and River, and, of course, her fur grandbabies.
Funeral services will be private, due to COVID, and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in her name to your favorite charity. She wanted it to be a celebration of her life and to be able to give to others one last time.
She specifically wanted to impart this final message – a smile is the magic key, to the magic door, to the wonderful Magic Toyshop. She has now entered a new door, but she wanted to leave everyone smiling with their childhood memories.
A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
What’s your fondest memory of Marilyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marilyn?
Share a story where Marilyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marilyn you’ll never forget.
How did Marilyn make you smile?