Marilyn Marie Wirgau

Marilyn Marie Wirgau (Budd), 80, of Clinton Township, Michigan, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at Henry Ford Medical Center in Sterling Heights. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and beloved member of her community, Marilyn lived a life defined by kindness, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to caring for others.

She was born on August 8, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to Doris (Barnowske) Budd and Everett Budd. Marilyn spent her early years in the Detroit area before moving to St. Clair Shores, where she attended South Lake High School, graduating in June of 1963.

In 1963, Marilyn met the love of her life, Robert Wirgau, while the two were singing in choir together. Their playful courtship began with Robert’s persistent greeting, “Hey baby… when are we going out?”—which Marilyn initially declined many times before finally giving him a chance. The two married on September 5, 1964, at St. Joan of Arc Church in St. Clair Shores, beginning a loving partnership that would span more than sixty years.

Early in their marriage, Marilyn worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Skoney. During those first years together, Marilyn and Robert also opened their home as foster parents to six infants, lovingly caring for babies who needed a safe and nurturing place until they could return to their families. Marilyn poured her heart into caring for each child as if they were her own, sending them home with love and the things they needed to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Marilyn and Robert were later blessed with three children: Norman, Felicia, and Kerrie. An especially meaningful detail in their family story is that Felicia was named after one of the foster babies Marilyn and Robert cared for the longest—a little girl who had captured their hearts before returning to her mother.

Marilyn had a lifelong passion for children, learning, and nurturing others. She devoted many years to teaching catechism, sharing her faith and love of learning with countless young students. Later, she worked in the schools she loved most as a paraprofessional, lunchroom monitor, and playground supervisor, primarily at Jonas Salk Elementary School in Fraser and James Rogers Elementary School in St. Clair Shores.

Generations of children came to know Marilyn’s kindness. She was known for carrying canvas bags filled with extra hats, gloves, snacks, bandages, and anything else a child might need throughout the day. There was a running joke that Marilyn carried “everything but the kitchen sink” in those bags—so one day she added a small toy sink as well, just to prove the point. It was exactly the kind of quiet humor and thoughtfulness that made children smile and feel cared for. Many students affectionately called her “Grandma,” and children who recognized her outside of school would run up to greet her with hugs. To countless students, she was a place of safety, comfort, and encouragement.

Family meant everything to Marilyn. She devoted her life to caring for those she loved—her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and the relationships that shaped her life from childhood forward.

Marilyn also shared an extraordinary bond with her younger sister, Yvette Reedy. Though fifteen years separated them in age, Marilyn lovingly referred to Yvette as “the greatest gift our mother ever gave me.” From the time Yvette was young, Marilyn looked after her with deep love and devotion, helping shape many of her childhood memories. Their relationship grew into a lifelong friendship built on loyalty, laughter, and unwavering support. The connection they shared was profound, and the love between them is a bond that will never be broken.

Marilyn loved music, nature, reading, and learning. She was an avid reader and especially enjoyed the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. She had a lifelong love of Star Trek, particularly The Next Generation, and enjoyed the thoughtful stories about science, exploration, and doing what is morally right. She also loved gardening, houseplants, and documentaries, always curious about the world around her.

Animals were another great joy in Marilyn’s life. Over the years the family home welcomed many beloved pets—from dogs and cats to hamsters, frogs, fish, and even a chameleon named Kermit. Her favorite animals were elephants, which she loved for what they symbolize: family, loyalty, and caring for one another—qualities she lived by every day.

In her later years, her beloved cat Moxie held a very special place in her heart. Marilyn had a way of making every animal feel like part of the family, and she treasured each of them deeply. It brings comfort to imagine that Moxie and all of the pets she loved so much were there to greet her, waiting faithfully for her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Later in life, Marilyn demonstrated extraordinary devotion and strength as she lovingly cared for her husband through years of illness, always putting the needs of others before her own.

Marilyn is survived by her beloved husband Robert Wirgau; her children Norman and his wife Kim (Allard) Wirgau, Felicia Wirgau, and Kerrie (Wirgau) Peterson; and her cherished grandchildren Nicholas Wirgau, Brian Wirgau, Emily Reid, Marissa Reid, Christina Reid, and Wyatt Peterson. She is also survived by her sister Yvette (Zacharias) Reedy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris Zacharias, Everett Budd, and Frederick Zacharias, whom she proudly considered her second father and often said she was lucky to have had two dads.

Marilyn’s life was defined by compassion, generosity, and a deep commitment to caring for others. Whether helping a child in need, nurturing her family, or offering kindness to someone who needed it, she believed that even the smallest acts of love could change a life.

Her legacy will live on in the countless children she comforted, the family she cherished, and the many lives made brighter by her kindness.

In honor of Marilyn’s lifelong dedication to caring for children, the family will be establishing the Marilyn Wirgau Kindness Fund, which will support students at Jonas Salk Elementary School in Fraser and James Rogers Elementary School in St. Clair Shores, two schools where she spent many years helping and encouraging young students. The fund will continue Marilyn’s tradition of providing small but meaningful acts of care—helping ensure that children feel supported, prepared, and valued.

Like the elephants she admired, Marilyn showed us that the greatest strength in life is love, loyalty, and caring for one another. Through every child she helped, every life she touched, and every act of kindness she inspired, her spirit will continue to walk beside us.

The world is a kinder place because Marilyn was in it.