Marilyn Johanna Zaleski

On Monday May 17 2021, Marilyn Zaleski loving mother of three children and five grandchildren passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 81.

Marilyn was born in Hibbing Minnesota in March 1940. The oldest of three sisters, she grew up in Hibbing and moved with her family to Arizona in the late 1950’s where she then attended college. Marilyn met Robert Zaleski and they were married in 1963. After graduating from ASU Marilyn became a teacher. In 1969, she became a mother and eventually had three sons. After separating from Robert in the 1980s, Marilyn went back to teaching full time and completed her Master’s degree in education. She worked for several decades in the Phoenix Elementary school district, spending most of her career teaching first thru fifth grades at Emmerson elementary and Kenilworth schools.

Marilyn loved her family and looked forward to every opportunity to spend time with them. Every holiday was special to her and she always went out of her way to make sure everyone was gathered together as often as possible. Marilyn loved to Travel; she has visited most of Europe as well as South America and China. The home she has owned for almost 60 years is full of memories of her family as well as her many adventures around the globe. Marilyn was an avid collector; she loved fashion, art, history, music, gardening, and items from around the world. She was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago and the prognosis was very grave from the onset. After a long battle, Marilyn beat the cancer and spent the next eight years in good health with her friends and family.

With a renewed lease on life, Marilyn resumed traveling internationally with her goal to see as much of the world as she possibly could. She had just booked her next trip to see the great pyramids when she was taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly.

Her parents Robert and Angelth Martinson, and sister Sherri Gruner preceded Marilyn in death. She is survived by her sister Dr. Joan Boyle and husband Walter, brother in law David Gruner, her children: Aaron, Adam & spouse Tamara, Ian & spouse Heather. Surviving grandchildren: Nadia, Ethan, Zoe, Ekaterina, and Noah.

Marilyn will be dearly missed by everyone; she truly was the heart of the family.