Carolyn Hess

Carolyn S. Hess of Weston passed away on October 24, 2016 at Norwalk Hospital after a four year battle with lung cancer. Born on July 29, 1948 in Columbus Ohio, Carolyn was the oldest child of the late Robert and Joann (Osborne) Delong.

She graduated from Brookhaven High School, Columbus Ohio, in 1966. She recently celebrated, online, her fiftieth class reunion where she renewed many friendships and was also able to personally visit with several of her classmates.

Shortly after graduation Carolyn married Ronald Lee Markham and embarked on a remarkable variety of careers. During the early years she provided day care services for many children and has many "sons and daughters" in Columbus. After that she worked as a guide at the Ohio Historical Society (now known as Ohio History Connection) and held a variety of positions in the financial services industry.

Eventually she became president of MCM Financial, a mortgage brokerage company. After moving to Weston in 2000 and marrying John Hess, Carolyn began to focus on creative endeavors. She was an expert in crochet and developed a technique for creating purses, totes and wallets from cut strips of used plastic grocery bags, which earned her the endearing title of "Weston Bag Lady". She also greatly enjoyed working in the gardens and woods at home and built an extensive system of stone walls on the property.

The accomplishment she was most proud of was founding of an internet-based prayer group, "Prayer Buddies" which now has over eight hundred members. Carolyn was truly an inspiring person and her friends have been consistently impressed and admiring of her sense of sharing and giving. She stood out as an example of grace and bravery during her struggle with cancer.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, John Hess, of Weston and Waynesboro, PA, daughter Jody Anderson(Jason Brady) stepson, Ronald Markham, grandchildren Kara Anderson, Kyle Young, Nathan Brady and (twins) Ava and Olivia Brady, step children David (Christine) Hess, Christopher (Alison) Hess and Laura Geiger (Adam) and six step grandchildren, brother, Richard Delong and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, daughter, Jacqueline Markham, stepson, Charles Markham, and brother, Thomas Delong.

A memorial service will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 5pm until time of service at 7pm with Pastor Doug Nault officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Ohio History Connection 800 East 17th Avenue, Columbus OH 43211.