Marilyn Ault brought positive changes to Anderson
May 23—ANDERSON — When it came to the arts and charitable efforts in Madison County, Jim and Marilyn Ault were at the center.
Marilyn Ault, 88, passed away Wednesday surrounded by her family.
In many ways Marilyn's impact, along with her husband, Jim, impacted many quality of life issues in Anderson and Madison County from the arts community to public health and helping those in need.
The couple were high school sweet hearts at Anderson High School and were married over 67 years.
After Jim retired from General Motors in Paris, the couple came back home to Anderson.
Since that time, Marilyn Ault has worked to restore the Paramount Theatre and the Anderson Museum of Art, headed up a United Way campaign and raised funds for St. Vincent Anderson hospital.
After returning to Anderson, the Aults were involved with the Ivy Tech Community College building campaign and helped raise funds for the surgery center at a local hospital.
"Maybe we have set a good example for the young generations," Marilyn said during an interview after being named Person of the Year by The Herald Bulletin in 2017, "that it's fun to work together," and the work is rewarding.
The couple were named Distinguished Citizens by the local Boy Scouts in 1998 and included on a list of the 50 most influential people in Anderson in 2015.
"Marilyn had a unique ability to light up every room she entered," Darla Sallee, executive director of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, said. "Her spunk and common-sense approach were admired and appreciated by all who knew her."
Sallee said Marilyn led by example, always stepping up to tackle any task at hand.
"Marilyn and Jim's love story is a testament to unconditional love and enduring friendship," she said.
"A trailblazer in philanthropy, Marilyn was a passionate supporter of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra," Sallee said. "Her generosity extended beyond financial contributions to include heartfelt praise and encouragement."
James Abraham said he first met the Aults in the early days of the restoration of the Paramount in the 1990s.
"After we finished the Paramount, I was asked to take a look at the Carnegie building," he said. "I remember Jim and Marilyn went to look at it. It had been closed for 10 years and was in terrible shape. I remember Marilyn walking in and saying this is impossible."
He said Jim and Marilyn were the campaign chairs to raise a couple million dollars for that project.
"You always think of them as a couple," Abraham said. "They made a quiet contribution and effective in their leadership abilities. They knew how to lead and ask. It was hard to say no to them. If Jim and Marilyn were heading up a project, it must be good."
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
