Marilyn Bregman Obituary

Marilyn J. "Pilly" Bregman (nee Kolbe) 92, made her heavenly debut, looking fabulous as always, on Wednesday April 26th, 2023 after a short illness. Marilyn was born to Joseph B. and Mary R. (Kostrub) Kolbe on September 11, 1930 in south Lorain, Ohio. The youngest of three children, Marilyn had always been her own person and did things her own way. Growing up, she played stickball in the street with the neighborhood boys and played softball in her teens. As a child, she earned the nickname "Pilly" because she could sometimes be a "real pill" to her parents. Family and friends used that nickname affectionately throughout her life.Marilyn attended Whittier Elementary School and graduated Lorain High School in 1949. She also graduated from Lorain Business College after which she worked as a bookkeeper for the city under Mayor John Jaworski and as a medical office assistant for Dr. George Ozbardacki, with a break in between to raise a family.Marilyn's love of sports never waned. In addition to stickball and softball, Marilyn was a bowler, shot pistols and rifles, and expertly played golf and tennis. In fact, Marilyn was a tennis champion, the golf champion at Lorain Country Club seven times, and was the first female golf starter for the club. With the exception of bowling and golf, Marilyn played all of her sports left-handed, which gave her a real advantage.Marilyn met the love of her life, Harold B. Bregman while lunching at Heilman's restaurant in downtown Lorain. After a few years of dating, Harold invited her to accompany him on a European vacation with friends. She told him that she could only accept if they were married, which was his plan all along. They tied the knot on April 26, 1957 at the Justice of the Peace office with the Rabbi in attendance. They then boarded a plane for Europe and honeymooned there for six weeks. Harold was a businessman and Vice President of the Board at Lorain Community Hospital where Marilyn spent many hours volunteering. She could also be seen on the stage performing in "The Follies", a fundraiser for the Lorain Community Hospital Auxiliary, every two years.Marilyn loved a winning slot machine and if you asked her, she always won more than she lost. She was a friend to the Ohio Lottery and was never happier than when she was scratching those tickets. Her later years were spent exercising, doing water aerobics, taking bus trips to the casinos, and telling stories to make people laugh. Marilyn's sense of style was impeccable. Always looking polished in her leopard prints, her matching athleisure wear, and her bling.Marilyn is survived by her son David of Phoenix AZ. She will be terribly missed by her extended loving family, her special angels Shirley and Bill Leaser, and all of her close friends. Preceding her in death are her parents, Joseph and Mary (Kostrub) Kolbe, husband Harold Bregman, her son Jeff, her brother Joseph Kolbe (Florence) and her sister, Evelyn Bodor (Dan). A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fox Creek Golf and Tennis Club, 5445 Beavercrest Drive, Lorain, OH 44053 on Sunday, May 21 from 2 - 5 PM. All are welcome to share their special memories of this truly talented, beautiful, generous and unforgettable lady.Cards may be sent to 2396 Manchester Ln, Avon, Ohio 44011. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Community Foundation of Lorain County, 9080 Leavitt Rd, Elyria, OH 44035 in Marilyn Bregman's name. A scholarship for female athletes is currently being established in her memory.