Marion E. Anderson (Spriggs), age 89, formerly of Hartland and Milford, passed away January 31, 2014. Beloved wife of the late Donald Anderson. Loving mother of Donna (Ken) Anderson Wade and Mitchell (Rose) Anderson. Proud Grandmother of Steve, Sylvia, Matt (Brandi), Alicia (Kevin) and Nick. Dear Great-grandmother of Victoria and Arica.
Marion was born on December 13, 1924 in Belleville Michigan and grew up there. The 3rd child of 4 children; the oldest brother, John (Doctor), an older sister, Betty (Librarian) and a younger brother, James (Jim, played the Sax). Her mother, Ethel Spriggs (Callaghan) died when Marion was only four years old. Her father, Berthold Rueban Rafield Spriggs (BR or Bert for short) was a Pharmacist and owned the Belleville Pharmacy, he was also the city Treasurer and a member of the School Board. Marion was very proud of her father and often spoke of his accomplishments; from literal rags to self driven success. Because he was not able to be home much due to his long work schedule, BR developed the back part of his Pharmacy into a small gymnasium (Trapeze, Boxing Ring and the works) so that his children and the local kids had a place to play and hang out. Marion spent a great amount of time in her early years playing in this gym, especially swinging on the trapeze. She also spent most of her summer days swimming in Belleville Lake. Marion loved her family very much and always had a story to share about them. She and her sister Betty were very close and when together, they would discuss many of their life events in great detail, as if they had just happened.
During WWII, Marion worked at the Kaiser Fraser Bomber Plant in Willow Run, MI as did many. She was a secretary. She often shared stories from these times.
In 1948, Marion met Don Anderson via her brother Jim. Don and Jim both worked for Eastern Airlines located at Willow Run. In 1950, Don and Marion were married. Don was an A&M Mechanic and later became a Quality Inspector and Field Engineer for the Airline Industry (Bendix and AMP, Inc). Marion at this time worked for the U of M Hospital. Their first home together was located in “The Village”, a co-op in Willow Run that was created for the workers at the Bomber Plant and the local College Students. In 1953, Donna, their daughter was born at U of M Hospital and began her life in “The Village”. Marion loved animals, especially dogs. She often spoke of Suzy, a wiry little mutt and Julius, a loud hound. She would often share stories of her childhood pet, Daisy. Suzy and Julius also shared quarters in “The Village”. Throughout the years, Kookie, Mr. B, Misty, Duncan I, Duncan II, and her Little Princess - Cotton were also a big part of her life. Shortly after Donna was born, Don and Marion hit the road travelling with Dons job. Donna and Suzy were their road companions. Julius went to live on a farm (Really). They travelled and lived for a brief period in Garfield, New Jersey. Later in 1954, they purchased a farm in Clarksville, MI near Ionia. Marion, Donna and Suzy stayed at the farm, while Don travelled. In 1956, Mitchell was born in Ionia and began his life on the farm. In 1959, the family moved to Mobile, Alabama, a home base, and travelled with Don for the next two years throughout the South and West; Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico and California. Marion always shared stories of these travels. Eventually, in 1962, the family settled in Milford, MI. In 1979, Don and Marion made their final home on Long Lake in Hartland, MI.
Marion was an avid reader. In her younger years, her favorite books were that of adventure and exploring. She loved Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer and would often share the excitement that came from reading about d’Artagnan and The Three Musketeers. In her retirement years, Marion enjoyed reading the more subtle Romance novels and biographical literature.
In the late 1960’s, Marion went to College and obtained her Bachelor Degree in Teaching from Eastern Michigan University. Later, she obtained her Masters Degree in English from Oakland University. Marion began teaching 1st through 3rd grades at Highland Elementary School around 1973. She loved her time as a school teacher and was very proud of her students and enjoyed sharing their accomplishments, especially the reading proficiency of many of them being at the 7th grade level.
Always being one for adventure and exploration, Marion had a yearning to travel the World. She shared many times that when she was a child, she would often dream of far away places like Australia and how some day, she would go there. She did make these dreams happen and after retiring in 1988, she spent the next 12 years traveling the seven seas (mostly via Airliner). She first made her childhood dream a reality when she spent five weeks in 1984 touring Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii. After retiring, she continued to the Greek Isles, England, Paris, France, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Turkey, Afghanistan, Poland, Russia, Africa, Egypt, China, Panama, Greenland and Iceland. She also covered the other parts of North America that she hadn’t covered during the 1950 family travels.
Marion and Don were very active throughout their marriage and enjoyed sports like cross country skiing, tennis and golf, mostly golf. They travelled and played golf in North Carolina, Florida and Northern Michigan.
Don Passed away in 1987 and Marion retired in 1988. Due to her very active life style, Marion continued with a zest for life. She joined a Hartland Song and Dance Group of Ladies called, “The Living Dolls” and performed for many retirement communities and schools. They even went as far as performing for a large audience at Bowling Green University.
As a charitable person, Marion donated her time as a delivery person for Meals on Wheels for several years after retiring. She was also active with the Hartland Methodist Church and in the 1970s as a member of the Hartland Players.
Marion was an Action Person. When she wanted something, she would make a plan, work it and achieve her goal. She proved this countless times by achieving childhood dreams of travel, College Degrees and a late in life career, having a home on The Lake and seeing her Children and Grand Children find success and happiness. She worked very hard to be successful and always shared her good fortunes with everyone.
Mom, we already Miss You and Love you more than words can say. Thank you for everything.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 3, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Highland Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 3295 E. Highland Rd., Highland. Funeral Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. also at the Funeral Home.
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