Irma Marilyn Mooney

Marilyn Mooney, age 90, of Okemos, MI, passed away at home on November 13, 2020, surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Robert H. Mooney, Jr., who predeceased her in 1979, Marilyn was the loving mother of Bob (Kitty), Tom (Becky), Pat, Dennis (Nanci), Al (Laurie), Mark, Peter, Jeanne, Karen (Bill) Dudley, Kathy (Paul) Anderson, and John (Ann). She leaves 28 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren to cherish the good times they shared - Mary (John) Biggane, Sarah (Mike) Parnello, Annie Scott, Bobby (Anna), and Michael; Kristin, Brian (Laura), and Beth (Patrick) Coleman; Theo (Kelsey) and Ashlyn; Allison (Rob) Mayer, JR (Kate), and Natalie; Matthew (Allison), Tim (Brianna), and Andrew; Monica (Bobby) Glied, PJ, and James; WR, Annie, and Peter Dudley; Casey and Grace Anderson; and Sean, Jacqueline, Marisa, and Joey. There are 19 great-grandchildren left as wonderful gifts of God to their family - Jack and Allie Biggane; Oscar and Serena Parnello; Emma, Maddy, and Lainy Scott; Elizabeth, Margaret, and Caroline; Liam, Annie, and Amy; Molly, Henry, and Abigale; Maggie and Charlie Mayer; and Ryan.

Marilyn was born on August 1, 1930 in Saginaw, MI to Floyd and Claire Holcomb. She was raised in Saginaw with her two older siblings who predeceased her, Ann (Richard) McNish and George (Doris) Holcomb. Marilyn was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law Gwen Ashbaugh, grandson Quinlan (Pat and Gwen), brother-in-law Albert "Unc" Mooney, sister-in-law Irene Bruske, and husband's brother-in-law Bill Ryan. She is survived by her sister-in-law Jane Ryan, brother-in-law's wife Jennett Mooney, sister-in-law Pree Holcomb, and family friend June.

When Bob and Marilyn were dating in high school, he asked her if she liked children. She said yes, and he said, "Good, because I'd like to marry you some day." The desire for children came true and with the children came many joys during their 26 years of marriage. Marilyn was a continuous learner and teacher, graduating from St. Andrew Catholic School in 1948, and Michigan State in 1952. After teaching one year in the East Lansing Schools, she began a life-long commitment to her family. Marilyn was a faith-filled woman who provided in so many ways for her 11 children who were born from 1953 to 1964. Her focus was on family and friends, but she welcomed all who came to her home with an assortment of freshly baked treats and delicious meals. No one left hungry!

An amazing wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, investor, volunteer, and active member in the Catholic Church and Schools, she believed in service before self. Marilyn answered God's call to serve as a caregiver: to love and take care of others with almost limitless energy and passion. Marilyn's greatest accomplishment was the living witness she gave to those around her of God's call as she provided for family, friends, friends of her children and grandchildren, fellow parishioners at both St. Therese and St. Thomas, and those she encountered as a volunteer with the St. Lawrence/Sparrow gift shop. A very successful self-taught money manager, she enjoyed following the stock market, politics, her Wall Street Journal and reading many books. Marilyn was entertained in later years by texting with family and friends, exchanging emails and watching professional tennis, college basketball, NHL hockey, and other sporting events. The times spent with her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were of utmost importance in her life. She served in various leadership roles, including President of the St. Lawrence Auxiliary Guild and the first woman President of the St. Therese School Board, but her most cherished leadership role was matriarch of her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 21st at 11 a.m. in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Recorded video of Mass at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UaxZG9CQGg

Visitation will occur on Friday, November 20th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at St. Thomas, with the Rosary prayed at 7:00 pm. Visitation will also occur at 10 am before the Memorial Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Burial will be private to the family. Memorials may be made to Lansing Catholic High School, 501 Marshall St, Lansing MI 48912 and St. Thomas Aquinas School, 915 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823