Marilyn Hoche

Marilyn Ison Hoche died peacefully in St. Petersburg, Florida on April 18, 2025. She was 81 years old. Marilyn grew up in Saginaw, MI, spending joyful summers swimming, water skiing, and lifeguarding at Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan.

A woman of sharp intellect and boundless determination, Marilyn graduated from Wellesley College in 1966 with a degree in sociology. It was during her freshman year that she met John Philip Hoche, who proposed to her on the very first day they met as part of a fraternity Hell Week stunt. What began as a joke blossomed into a lifelong love story. John always proudly proclaimed that he "got the pick of the Wellesley College girls." They married shortly after graduation and embarked on a lifetime of adventures together.

Following their marriage, Marilyn attended Fordham University School of Law, earning her JD in 1970. After law school, she broke barriers as the first female law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Returning to New York in 1973, Marilyn became the first female attorney in the Office of the General Counsel at General Motors, at a time when few women held executive positions. In 1976, Marilyn and John welcomed their beloved daughter, Amanda, whose birth was joyously announced at a General Motors board meeting - a sign of the changing times Marilyn helped pioneer.

In 1978, the family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. Marilyn dedicated herself to raising Amanda, nurturing her passion for horseback riding and traveling across the country to support her endeavors, as Amanda rose to become one of the top hunter/jumper riders in the United States. Marilyn was an active member of the St. Petersburg community, volunteering with The Stuart Society in support of the Museum of Fine Arts and participating in the International Wine and Food Society. She loved to travel, ski, and spend time with friends and family.

Each summer, Marilyn enjoyed time in Bar Harbor, Maine, where she was a member of the Northeast Harbor Golf Club, The Harbor Club, and the Garden Club of Mount Desert. She was a strong supporter of local organizations there, including the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association and Friends of Acadia.

Marilyn lived with a vibrant spirit, cherishing her family, her friendships, and every opportunity to dance, explore, and make memories. She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Hoche Klemm; her son-in-law, Jonathan Gregory Klemm; her granddaughter, Taylor Alexandra Klemm; and her cousin, Robert Bekken.

A celebration of life will be held for Marilyn at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home on May 3rd from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST. Flowers can be sent to 2201 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.