Marilyn Kay Manzella

Marilyn Kay Manzella (nee: Spencley), age 64 of Roseville, died Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Clinton-Aire Healthcare Center in Clinton Township, Michigan. She was born March 5, 1951 in Detroit, daughter of the late Earl and the late Dorothy (nee: Snider) Spencley. It's been said that our children are often a reflection of us,…and this could never be more true and telling than listening to Marilyn's son & daughter paint a picture of their beautiful and colorful mother. From her Type A daughter and her Type B son comes a picture of a woman who had to be the perfect blend of A & B together,…and was certainly the perfect example of patience & love combined.From her Type A side came Marilyn's hard-work ethics. She always strove to do her best and to set an example for her children to follow. Not only a great teacher of giving it your all, Marilyn also taught the value of a job-well-done by being goal oriented…having a plan…and having something on the horizon to shoot for in the end. For Marilyn, there was always some kind of "prize" that fed her anticipation and gave her something to look forward to,…and she was always proud of her accomplishments. She took her work seriously, but it was far more than merely about the job itself. From her Type B side came the incredible love & warmth that forever put others first, especially her cherished son & daughter. Being a single mother, her work ethics never let her children go without. Marilyn always found a way of providing for Kari & Ryan,…at times, almost unbelievably. And that love transcended to the neighborhood as well. Every block always seems to have that one, special Mom that all the kids gravitate towards,…and Marilyn was that special person. From Marilyn's Type A side also came an immense "strength of character" that girded her up,…at times, almost supernaturally. Yet that was amazingly balanced by a selfless & giving character that touched countless hearts and lives throughout her life's journey. She presented an independence that was unmatched by any, and a Type B side that emanated the compassion of a saint. In so many ways and at so many times, Marilyn's resiliency was mind-boggling. Like a schooner in a storm, she always plodded through no matter the cost. Yet she managed to do it all without her kids ever seeing her upset or hurting. Perhaps her conquests were the result of possessing a gregarious nature that was both infectious and welcomed by all. It's always easier to be resilient when you're laughing along the way!For those that may not know,…Marilyn LOVED to shop. Shopping was the perfect elixir for the stresses in life, but also provided her the perfect pastime for those "feel good" experiences we all work so hard for. Yet quite often, Marilyn's shopping excursions were for something much more important,…Party Preparations, Baby! For anybody and everybody who truly knew Marilyn, there's one thing that set her apart from the rest,…she could throw a party that'd set your hair on fire! Her parties were always a sight to behold, and she really didn't need a reason to host one. Yet, for sure, there were some annual events that made everyone's calendar,…like her 4th of July Pool Party, the Christmas & New Year Bashes, and the ever-popular & tasty, Cheese Parties! Can we say "fondue memories?" Mmmm! And it was so much more than merely hosting a party,…it was about togetherness, friendship, laughter, and remembering the reason we're all here anyway,…to share the full breadth of love. And Marilyn was the penultimate host of that!Marilyn's capacity to love reached so many heights, but was no stranger to those feeling low, either. For so many, she was the common bond of keeping it all together when the world was stretching you like a piece of taffy. This afforded Marilyn a host of wonderful friendships throughout her life. Yet there was a special band of women who came into her life,…and never left. These girlfriends, with Marilyn in the mix, forged a friendship that became the fodder for a novel, but was merely written upon their hearts. They weren't only like sister's to Marilyn, but became Aunts to both Kari & Ryan. For this lady who loved watching the TV smash hit, "The Golden Girls,"…she was unquestionably blessed to have a set of her own Golden Girls. If there were to be a question, that would be the quandary as to which one was Blanche?The Bottom Line is,…if you didn't like (or better, love) Marilyn, there had to be something wrong with YOU!In telling a bit of Marilyn's story, it would be terribly remiss if not to mention an important neighborhood family in her life, the Ehrler's. For so many reasons and in so many ways, the Ehrler's were like angels sent from Heaven to watch over her,…which is why she was more like a daughter to them. Losing her parents at an early age, the Ehrler's provided that unique sense of love that comes from a parent,…and each of them were truly blessed in the union they shared. And not only for Marilyn, but for her children as well,…as the Ehrler's kids became close friends with her own. There was much in life that Marilyn held dear, but none so much as the love she held and expressed as a Grandma. She loved all of her family from the depths of her heart & soul, but her grandchildren held a most precious corner that filled her with a passion reserved for a treasured few. For Kennedy, Aidan, Jack and Evan, they were given a gift here on earth that transcended words,…and now have a gift of a Guardian Angel that will be watching over them always. For all who were blessed to know this amazing lady, she leaves a legacy of love to be cherished and embraced with each reflection shared. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally. Marilyn was the beloved mother of Kari Manzella and Ryan (Danielle) Manzella. Dearest daughter of the late Earl and the late Dorothy Spencley, and daughter-in-law of Vincent & Marilyn Manzella. Loving grandmother of Kennedy, Aidan, Jack, and Evan. Sister of the late Richard Spencley. Visitation for Marilyn will be held Wednesday, October 28th from 3-9pm, with a 7pm Funeral Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren. Please share memories of Marilyn at her memory book above.