East Lansing, Michigan
Marion Dilley, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away unexpectedly April 24, 2013 at the age of 79. She was born February 1, 1934 in Rapid River, Michigan to Harry and Mildred Nelson.
Marion was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Joyce Jensen. She will be greatly missed by her high school sweetheart and husband of 56 years, MSU Emeritus Professor David R. Dilley. Marion is also survived by her daughters, Cathy (Craig) Lazar of Okemos, Jane (Rick) Greene of Lake Placid, FL and Brenda (Tom) Mahoney of Denver, CO; seven grandchildren, Stephanie, Marie, and Ross Lazar, David and Robert Greene, Matthew and Ryan Mahoney; and brothers, Ralph Nelson of Brookfield, CT and Richard Nelson of Waterford, MI; sister, Carol (Aram) Hernandez of Orlando, FL; and many nieces, nephews, and other beloved family and friends.
She graduated from South Haven (Michigan) High School and was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Nursing in 1956. Though she loved the Maize and Blue, she was also an avid Spartan fan! She worked in the field of nursing for many years, but she was primarily devoted to being a homemaker. She loved to dance, bake, sew, read, and do her daily crossword puzzle. Marion was passionate about fitness, and dedicated to exercising daily by walking, tennis, water aerobics, biking, cross-country skiing, or fitness classes. She enjoyed “getting her walk in” whether it was in the neighborhood, at the mall, or on the beach. Her favorite walks were on the beach along the Lake Michigan shore where they enjoyed spending their summers. She also loved to travel, and was a “trooper” on cross-country family camping trips when the girls were young. Before David retired, she accompanied him to many scientific overseas conferences. Since retirement, their travels revolved around visiting her children and grandchildren.
She was a member of University Lutheran Church, Faculty Folk, the Friday Lunch Bunch, and volunteered for the Wharton Center’s Inner Circle and the Prayers and Squares Ministry at University Lutheran Church.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm on Sunday, May 5th at University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison in East Lansing, MI 48823. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Saturday, May 4th, from 4-6 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in East Lansing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Michigan State University Advancement designated for the David and Marion Dilley Endowed Scholarship and Research Fund at MSU, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824.
On line condolences may be made at: www.greastlansing.com
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