Marilyn Ann Finney

We know you wanted everything private, but sorry Mom, we wanted you to be recognized for the woman you were: Uniquely Magnificent!

Marilyn passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on March 27, 2021, at the age of 80.

Marilyn was born on June 27, 1940 to John and Barbara Vitovsky. She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in June 1958, then earned an associate degree in business from Lansing Business College.

Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Robert D. Finney on June 27, 1959. Marilyn and Bob enjoyed many adventures during their 56 years of marriage together; family vacations while Susan and Carol were growing up, Friday night dinners with “The Gang”, tailgating and attending MSU football and Women’s basketball games, watching college basketball and attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s events. She had a smart mouth and a huge heart, with a knack for telling it like it was. She loved the color purple, sparkly clothes, getting her hair done, working in her flower gardens, Elvis Presley, reading, cooking and weekly Sunday family dinners.

Marilyn was an administrative assistant in the Finance Department with the Lansing School District, retiring after 40 years. She then dedicated 13 years as an administrative assistant for the LSEA Teacher’s Union.

Marilyn was inducted into the Lansing Eastern Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. She volunteered for Lansing Eastern’s Football and Baseball Teams, worked various wrestling tournaments, concessions, ticket sales, golf outings, and more. She chaired several Lansing Eastern Class of 1958 reunions and worked for the Capitol Area Diamond Classic for 20 years.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Left to cherish her memory are daughters Susan and Carol; grandchildren, Amanda, Benjamin, Dylan, Lindsay, Kurgan, Asha, and Zach; great-grandchildren, Cole, Nora, and Willow; and numerous family members and close friends. She was preceded in death by great-granddaughter, Makayla Cater-Hostetler.

Per Marilyn’s wishes, cremation has taken place. And yes, she wore a sparkly purple dress! She is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband Robert. Marilyn was truly one of a kind and irreplaceable. A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held later this year.

We encourage donations on Marilyn’s behalf to Lansing School District’s R.I.F. program, where each child receives a book of their choice. Send donations to: R.I.F. Attn: Jon Laing, 519 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48933. Online condolences and stories of Marilyn’s life may be expressed at www.grlansing.com