Marilyn Miceli Roger

Marilyn Miceli Roger of Indianapolis, Indiana, wife, mother, and grandmother died at age 78. Marilyn was born May 6, 1933 to Dorothy (Levie) and Tony Miceli. Attending Shortridge High School, she began her professional life as a kitchen designer for Muchler Kitchen Cabinets, specializing in providing 3-dimensional color drawings of kitchen blueprints. She designed kitchens throughout central Indiana, including one of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Columbus, IN.

In 1957, Marilyn married Edwin S. Roger of Lafayette, IN. Soon thereafter, she began her greatest vocation - parenting two sons, Brandon A. Roger and Mark A. Roger. A long-time civic leader, she was a member of the Bureau of Jewish Education Auxiliary, National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, and Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and its Sisterhood. Marilyn served as President of the Bureau of Jewish Education Auxiliary and was the first female-president of the Bureau of Jewish Education Board of Directors. During this time, she was instrumental in the evolution of the BJE's Early Childhood program, development of a state-wide educational series led by faculty from the Indiana University Jewish Studies program, high-school summer educational trips to Israel, and the introduction of Hebrew language classes at North Central. Marilyn mentored many BJE leaders and helped women attain greater leadership roles within the Bureau of Jewish Education.

Following the death of her husband, Marilyn began a nearly two-decade tenure as the Administrator of the BJE. Her commitment to ensuring every child access to a high quality, professionally-led learning experience established a standard that remains to this day. She oversaw the building of an Early Childhood wing, expansion of library services to include technology access, increased philanthropic funds, and a self-sustaining publication fund. Following her retirement, Marilyn quickly transitioned into her most cherished role - full-time grandmother.

Marilyn is loved and remembered by her sons, Brandon Anthony Roger and Mark Adam Roger; daughters-in-law, Cantor Janice Roger and Randi Reese Roger; grandchildren, Eddie, Miles, Madeline and Samantha; sisters, Rosalind (Miceli) Berk and Susan Miceli; and niece and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the Aaron Ruben Nelson Mortuary, 11411 N. Michigan Rd, at 2 PM. Burial will follow in Congregation Beth-El Zedeck's North Cemetery.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Marilyn Roger Fund of the Bureau of Jewish Education, 6711 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN.

The Roger family will be sitting shiva on Wednesday and Thursday from 6 - 9 PM at the Roger Residence, 1206 Frederick South Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46260, with a minion each night at 7 PM. The family will be attending services at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation on Friday night.