Marilyn L. (Potzman) Egner, 69, of Emmaus, died Feb. 12, 2023, in her residence. She was the wife of Frank G. Egner for 48 years. She was the eldest daughter of Doris (Faust) Potzman and Robert Potzman Sr.

She was a 1971 graduate of Kutztown Area High School. The day after graduation, she started working at the Blouse Factory in Kutztown to earn money to attend college. She successfully attended her freshman year but had to drop out only to attend later, part time.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work. She pursued a master’s degree in social work through Marywood College. She was employed at Easton Hospital and briefly at Good Shepherd Rehab Hospital. Changes in the medical field directed her to return to Kutztown University to pursue a master’s degree in library science. She was employed by St. Luke’s Hospital as a medical librarian.

She went on to a full-time substitute librarian in the Boyertown School District. A permanent position was obtained in the Allentown School District at the Cleveland and Roosevelt elementary schools. She went on to be employed at Freedom High School as a librarian and finally retiring from teaching at Calypso and Marvine elementary schools in the Bethlehem School District.

Her interests included gardening and encouraging others to garden. She initiated a garden at her church, The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus, with the objective to donate produce to local food banks.

She was involved in several local discussion groups as well as being a member of the Emmaus Public Library discussion group and also member at Rodale’s book group. Her love of books and reading led her to erect a Free Little Library in front of her home.

She enjoyed nature and wild plants. She participated in the Goschenhoppen Festival as one of the “medicinal herb ladies,” identifying plants, wild and domestic, that were used to treat the maladies of early Pennsylvania Dutch settlers in the area. If you didn’t find her in the garden, she would be in the kitchen cooking for her family.

She is survived by her husband; son, Nicholas and his wife, Marissa; daughter, Laura and her husband, Matthew Beitler; grandchildren, Avery, Hudson, Ellison and Landon; sister, Judith Weaver. She was predeceased by sisters, Shirley Arnold, Sandra Acher; brother, Robert Jr.

Services are private at the convenience of the family. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.