Marilyn E. Sowden, 91, formerly of Walnutport and Whitehall, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Country Meadows, Bethlehem after a short stay. Marilyn was the beloved companion of Thomas H. Reitz, who passed away in 2000. She was born in Best Station, Lehigh County, on January 12, 1933, and was a daughter of the late Russell T. and Adele M. (Boyle) Sowden. Marilyn graduated from the former Slatington High School and from the former Allentown Hospital School of Nursing in 1954, and attended Muhlenberg College, Penn State University as well as Cedar Crest College and took graduate courses at Cornell University in New York. She was employed at the former Allentown Hospital in the OB/GYN department, as a head nurse and supervisor for 32 years, retiring in 1986. She was supervisor in the development of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the 17th Street site of Lehigh Valley Hospital. Marilyn served at Sacred Heart Hospital as a clinical nurse manager assisting with the development of the birth delivery unit until retirement in 1996. She held memberships with the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association and with the retiree organization of Lehigh Valley Hospital, the Walnutport and Slatington Senior Citizens Club, and was a past president and charter member of the A.B.E. OB/GYN organization of the Lehigh Valley for 15 years. Marilyn was a longtime faithful member of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Slatington. Survived by a sister, Cynthia S., wife of Robert Schramel of Bath; brother-in-law, Robert Zellner in California; five nephews and a niece, nine great nephews; two great-great nieces and two great-great nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters, Shirley A. Zellner and Mary Alice Snyder. A funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Good Shepherd U.C.C., 3940 Mountain Road, Slatington, PA 18080. Call 10-11 A.M. Saturday in the church. The Reverend James D. Robison Jr. will officiate. Contribution may be made to the church in her memory. Arrangements entrusted by Kevin E. Hunsicker Funeral Home Inc., Slatedale, PA.