Maralyn Cannon Hunston

Maralyn Cannon Hunston was born on February 12, 1921 in Lakewood, OH and peacefully passed away on September 15, 2015 in Crandall Medical Center at Copeland Oaks Retirement Community in Sebring, OH. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Walter Jay Hunston Sr; her parents, Lewis and Alma (Lewis) Cannon; and her sister, Jean. Maralyn was a music graduate of Baldwin Wallace Conservatory and went on to teach piano in Salem, OH for over 25 years. She was an inspiration to hundreds of children and adults through her passion for music. She also was a substitute teacher in the Salem, South Range, United, and West Branch school systems, and she was a choir director at the First United Methodist Church of Salem. She often brought innovative musical programs to the congregation and community, and spearheaded children's choir programs. Maralyn was also a proud member of the Eastern Star for many years. Maralyn retired to Copeland Oaks in 2003 where she sang in the chorale, played bells in the Bell Choir, and played piano for the residents of Crandall. She touched the lives of all she met. Maralyn was a 60 year breast cancer survivor and lived each day to its fullest. She walked in the Race for the Cure in Toledo, OH with her family on "Team Nana" for 10 years. She inspired many other survivors with hope. Maralyn will always be remembered by her loving children, Sandra (Paul) Metts of Austintown, Walter Jay (Jane) Hunston Jr. of Stuart, FL and Whitefish, MT, Deb Hunston (John Petrek) of Perrysburg; and her loving nephew, Dave (Leslie) Leising of Charlotte, NC and Anna Maria Island, FL. Maralyn instilled in her family the appreciation of music and the beauty of the world. She taught the value of having fun in life, having faith, helping people, appreciating family and friends, and being kind to all. She was a loving "Nana" to her seven grandchildren, Amanda (Al) DiCristofano, Paul Jay (Angie) Metts, Rebekah (Mike) Childers, Johanna (Rob) Bauman, Walter Jay (Kelly) Hunston III, Dan Petrek (Ally Schnepper), and Eric Petrek (Danika Parry); and her 12 great-grandchildren, Ella and Charlotte DiCristofano, Chloe and Rowan Childers, Austin and Audrey Metts, Joshua, Maddie, and Sophie Bauman, and Walter Jay IV, Kacey, and Fischer Hunston. A memorial service will be held in the Copeland Chapel on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 1PM, with a reception in the Williamsburg Lounge at Copeland following the service. The family would like to thank Copeland Oaks for the care provided to Maralyn and her entire family, as well as Hospice of the Valley for helping her peacefully transition from her journey on Earth. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Maralyn's memory to Copeland Oaks, The Oaks Foundation, 800 S. 15th St, Sebring, OH 44672, or Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512. Final arrangements entrusted to Lane Family Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel.