Mariella "Zookie" Frey

Mariella "Zookie" Frey, age 88, resident of Candlewood Lake in Mt. Gilead, passed away March 20, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

Born November 17, 1935 in Shelby to Marion and Stella (Young) Smith, she had been an area resident of Candlewood Lake since 2007 after living the majority of her life in Ontario.

A 1953 graduate of Shelby Senior High School, she went on to work for Shelby Mutual in the mail room before her and her husband Bob started their own concession business in 1981. Mariella and Bob took much pride in starting their business. They owned and operated it for over 25 years, while it provided them the opportunity to travel across the country meeting and serving people from all over.

Mariella was a social butterfly that truly enjoyed the company of others. She was a member of the Ontario United Methodist Church as well as a Candlewood Ladies Euchre Club. She loved spending time with her family and friends and took great pleasure in bringing everyone together to play cards where they could enjoy each others company. She was known for being a very lucky person and used it to her advantage often visiting casinos and playing bingo. She and her husband traveled frequently in their RV to destinations like Alaska and spending winters in Florida.

She and Bob were avid bird watchers, where they dedicated much of their free time traveling across Ohio in search of eagles and hawks. They were regular visitors to Magee Marsh, where they spent time taking in the sights and sounds of spring migration and the thrill of meeting new people sharing their passion for nature. When not out traveling looking for birds, Mariella took pride in being a good steward to the birds in her yard by providing food for them and watching them.

She is survived by her husband Bob Frey, whom she wed August 7, 1953; daughter Lori (Brant) Hosack of  Mt. Gilead Candlewood Lake; son Jerry (Mandy) Frey of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; special niece Sonya (Robert Martinez) Hobbs of Circleville, OH; daughter- in-law Mary Frey of Independence, Missouri; grandchildren Nathan Frey, Jon Frey, Leslie "TJ" Frey, Tessa Frey, Ryan (Jessica) Hosack, Megan Hosack, Zackary Hosack; great-grandchildren Audrey Hosack; Avery Hosack, Carter Barton, and brother William (Chris) Smith of Shelby. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her dear son Loren Frey, whom she lost in 2006, and granddaughter Tara Hosack in 1986.

Friends may visit at the Ontario United Methodist Church, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 5:00 PM. Pastor Chris Bell will officiate with the burial taking place at a later date.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kobacker House at 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, OH 43214 or the Ontario United Methodist Church at 3540 Park Ave W, Ontario, OH 44906.

Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

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