In Memory: Marijean Rupp Kayler, 78

Editor's note: the following obituary was submitted by H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel.

Marijean Rupp Kayler, of Marietta and formerly of Dunwoody, died peacefully Jan. 13, 2018. Marijean was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 12, 1939, and was the daughter of the late Charles Irving Rupp and Laurene Marie Minor Rupp.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Clark Kayler, Jr., her sister Cheryl Rupp Serio and her brother Robert Rupp. She is survived by her sons, Donald C. Kayler III (Laurie), Thomas C. Kayler, Kevin M. Kayler (Stephanie); grandchildren, Chase Kayler, Matthew Kayler, Michael Kayler, Melody Kayler Montgomery, Mackenzie Kayler, Carlisle Kayler, Sydney Kayler, and many friends and extended family who loved her dearly. Marijean attended St. Mary’s School outside of Chicago and loved the subjects of art and music.

Her father, Charles I. Rupp, was an accomplished organist and taught his daughter, passing on this wonderful talent to Marijean. She won the title of Miss West Chicago and was first runner up in the Miss Illinois pageant in 1958. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Donald C. Kayler Jr. while modeling for Rose Marie Reid. They courted and were married June 13, 1959 in Chicago.

During their early years of marriage, Marijean and Don played organ and piano back to back, for a music store, to “demo” those instruments for future sales. Don took a job with Bobbie Brooks in 1961 and he and Marijean moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where they started their family. Marijean, a devout Roman Catholic, loved the Lord and soon found a place to serve Him at Cure of Ars Catholic Church as their Organist at Sunday morning Mass.

In 1974, Marijean moved to Dunwoody as Don accepted a promotion with Jantzen Sportswear. In 1977, she found a home to serve the Lord for more than 20 years as the Music Minister at All Saints Catholic
Church, helping to build that church from the ground up.

She was responsible for the selection of Liturgical music for masses, weddings, funerals, played organ for the adult choir and lead a folk group known as the Schola Cantorum. Marijean also brought the gospel to young women at the Christendom Home for Women through her music.

At home, she balanced the life of being a wife and the mother of three boys, shuffling them to church, school, music lessons, and all their sporting events, often on three different teams! Marijean will always be remembered as a loving and fun-filled woman dedicated to her faith, family, friends and her husband of 58 years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pastoral Care at the Catholic Church of St. Ann. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. — with the Rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m. — at H. M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel at 173 Allen Road NE in Sandy Springs.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Catholic Church of St. Ann at 4905 Roswell Road in Marietta. The rite of committal will follow at Arlington Memorial Park.

Image via H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel