Marie Reid Laub Babcox, died 1962

Mrs. Marie Reid Laub Babcox was one of the more influential leaders of the local Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA).

She was a lifetime member of the YWCA and she served as president of the Akron YWCA board of directors from 1933-1936. Babcox's interests extended beyond just the local level though. She was a member of the hospitality committee at Chautauqua, which was a department of the national YWCA board. Her other involvement with national organizations included the World Service Council and the National Interpretation and Support Committee.

Outside of her YWCA work, Babcox was well-known for her leadership in the Woman's City Club, the Altrusa College Club, the Akron Council of Church Women and the Flora Stone Mather Alumnae. She also served as third vice president of the Young Women's Christian Association from 1926-1927 and she participated in the Tuesday Musical Club as a director and a singer. She attended the First Congregational Church.

Described in the Akron Beacon Journal as a "widely known clubwoman and social leader," Babcox was born in Cleveland but moved to Akron in 1914. She married Edward S. Babcox, who was president of Babcox Publications, a company that puts out a number of specialized business magazines. They had four children: Reid, Tom B., Edward S. Jr. and Anne. The Babcoxs resided at 666 North Portage Path.

Babcox died in 1962 in Winter Park, Fla., of a heart aliment that she suffered from for many years. When she died, she left behind her husband, her children and 18 grandchildren. She was cremated in Winter Park.

--Janelle Baltputnis