Marilyn was born in Detroit Michigan to John and Alma Ross and shortly thereafter moved to Allen Park, Michigan where she grew up. She was an only child and shared stories of spending her summers with many of her cousins on the family farm in Nova Scotia, Canada where her mother and father had grown up before moving to Michigan. Her father had decided not to carry on as a farmer and instead followed his love of tinkering and became a foreman on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company and her mother was an active member of their church and taught piano to the children in the neighborhood. Marilyn was also very involved in her church, singing in the choir, attending youth group, bible studies and remembers always being at the church. She was a girl scout, enjoyed tap dancing (more on that later) and like her mother became quite proficient on the piano and would later teach her grandchildren. After graduating high school, she attended Alma College with a desire to be a religious director, two years into her education she met her future husband at a wedding, Donald Greenhalgh whose last name she said she couldn’t pronounce but he was nice enough and so they began dating. After being together through the summer, Don convinced Marilyn to transfer to Eastern Michigan University to be closer to him as he was attending University of Michigan. Don was drafted into the Korean War shortly after their meeting, he presented her with his fraternity pin which meant engagement. He was gone for two years and at this time she continued her studies and went on to graduate in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree and began teaching elementary school. Upon Don’s return in the same year, they were married and he returned to University of Michigan to earn his masters and would continue at U of M where he taught Architecture.
In 1958 they welcomed their first-born son, Aaron who was born at the University of Michigan hospital where Don was on staff. In 1960, Don determined to try something new and they decided to go west in a VW Bug with all of their belongings and Aaron as a toddler on a crib mattress in the back seat. They stopped at San Luis Obispo for possible teaching employment for Don at Cal Poly but then moved further west to Novato where they would put their stake in the ground for the next 61 years. A lot of life happened in Novato, their second son Marty was born in 1962, Don would spend his lifetime career with A T & T as an architect and Marilyn dedicated her life to her family while raising their children. She was involved in Aaron’s school activities, his many extra-curricular endeavors and served on the Little League Board and team mom including Babe Ruth for years. She made many good friends during this time and would often say those were the best years. Marty who had been born with special needs would go to live in a residential home/school and Marilyn never missed an opportunity to encourage his many activities such as Special Olympics, painting, puzzles and his love of playing with and collecting hot wheel cars.
In 1980, Aaron and Sandy were married. She was a lovely mother-in-law, kind respectful and happy to have another girl in the family and quickly assimilated into Sandy’s large Portuguese family where both mother-in-law’s became great friends. At this time, Marilyn returned to work at Fair Isaacs as a CRT Operator where she continued to make friends, she was very social and people loved being around her. She also had many hobbies, including knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking and cross stitch with many of her projects being gifted to friends and family over the years. She was an avid reader, loved word puzzles, played canasta, computer games and loved bingo especially with friend Shirley who together had enough winnings to travel on several cruises. Remember the tap dancing she did as a child, well, while in her 60’s, she and friend Shirley and the local children’s tap dance teacher Wanda formed a trio called “Wanda’s Wonders”. They would go on to perform at the annual tap recitals at Novato City Hall, which was designed for children but now included “Wanda’s Wonders” who performed proudly. Amazing!!!
Marilyn also loved sports, all sports!! She and Don were year-round sports fans with favorites being the 49ers for which they had season tickets and the Giants. Actually, her favorite teams were the one’s her grandchildren Shaun and David played on, she and Don never missed a game from T-ball all the way to high school sports. She and Don loved to spend time in the Tahoe area especially at Harrah’s and with friends would often go on bus trips to the various casinos to play the slots. She loved all holidays especially Christmas and was ready with gifts wrapped by the summer and we were certain to receive at least one gift that was personalized with our names. :)
As time went by and things slowed down, she and Don spent a lot of quiet time together until Don passed in 2021. At this time, she came to live with her son and daughter in law Sandy in Rohnert Park where she was now requiring some extra care. She started attending church at New Vintage with Aaron and Sandy and thought Darren to be a very good minister and perhaps laughing the loudest at his jokes. Saying grace at mealtime was priceless as her prayer was consistent, “Dear Heavenly Father, please help those who can’t help themselves.” Shaun her oldest grandson also spent some time caring for her, making sure that she had some company, got to doctors appts and of course chauffeuring her to Bingo every week at the senior center with a stop at Taco Bell for a chalupa afterwards being eminent. She also missed and wanted to go visit her youngest grandson David and his wife Melissa and that desire was fulfilled 3 weeks ago as she made a courageous trip to Austin, Texas. It was evident in the last month that she was slowing down and uncomfortable, she was struggling with many health conditions including dementia and palliative care became the direction that the doctors recommended with quality of life being the focus. She was so brave and stoic through it all.
Hospice care followed quickly and in a matter of days she went peacefully to heaven to be with her heavenly father. She did so many wonderful things for her family and friends, selfless and giving and had so many endearing ways about her that will have us telling stories for years to come. We will miss our beloved Nana!
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Dementia Society of America or a Church of your choosing. Thank you and God Bless.
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