Marilee Ann Morris

Marilee Ann “Bunny” Morris, born February 1, 1938, in Sidney, Ohio, came into the world during a time of hardship and uncertainty. The Great Depression was nearing its end, and World War II was beginning to cast its shadow across the globe. Born into that climate—and raised on a farm in rural Sidney—Bunny learned early on the value of resilience, perspective, and optimism. Those formative experiences shaped her lifelong outlook: tough times would come and go, but there was always something to be grateful for, always a reason to smile, and always a way to help others carry the load. She passed peacefully into her eternal home on July 19, 2025, at her residence in The Villages, Florida, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 87 years old. Bunny was preceded in death by her dear brother, Robert Hipple Jr., and is survived by her loving husband of more than sixty years, Charles Morris; her sister, Marjie Miller, and brother-in-law, Keith Miller; her children, Robert Morris, David Lee Morris, and Michelle Thompson; and her son-in-law, Dan Thompson. She was a proud and deeply devoted grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Alexandra Morris, Charles Morris, Blake Morris, Kaylee Morris, Victoria Morris, Aidan Morris, Sophia Morris, Vivienne Morris, Samantha Thompson, Molly Thompson, and Jessica Thompson. Bunny was known as the life of the party, with a radiant smile, a contagious laugh, and a strong sense of style—always dressed to the nines. She loved to dance, loved to celebrate, and had a natural gift for lifting the spirits of those around her. She made friends easily and kept them for life. And when someone was hurting, she showed up—not just with kind words, but with presence, compassion, and support. Her life spanned many places and seasons after her formative years in small-town Sidney and Kettering, Ohio. She and Chuck moved often during Navy assignments, until eventually settling in Oakwood, Ohio, where they raised their family. In later years, they spent decades in Sarasota, Florida, where Bunny enjoyed golf, tennis, painting, and time with dear friends. Since her passing, many of Bunny’s friends have shared stories of her kindness, humor, and unwavering positivity. With Bunny, you always knew things would be OK. She brought comfort in times of uncertainty and joy in everyday moments. The void she leaves behind is deeply felt by all who loved her—but in a way that feels like her final gift: a lasting influence that emboldens us to cope with her very loss. We suspect it was her plan all along. Though her fight with cancer ultimately came to an end, cancer did not come out of it unscathed. True to her spirit, Bunny gave it everything she had—and left it bruised, winded, and with a bloody nose. Fittingly, her father, Robert Hipple, had once founded the Hipple Cancer Research Center, which was later absorbed into the cancer program at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Her strength, humor, and refusal to go quietly felt like one last stand in a family legacy of resilience and science-fueled hope. Plans for her burial at the United States Naval Academy are pending, as the site is currently undergoing construction. She will be laid to rest in a place of honor that reflects her family’s long-standing ties to service and tradition. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation that serves military and first responders. On their website: https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org/give/488866/#!/donation/checkout, please reference BunnyMemorial@gmail.com for the email address.

Marilee Ann Morris

February 1, 1938 - July 19, 2025