Marian G Longyear

Marian G Longyear, 93, went to be with the Lord on April 4, 2011 in Sarasota, FL. She exemplified unshakable faith in God, a love of life, and family devotion. In service to Jesus Christ, she brought her family and numerous others to the faith. She was an inspiration to all she met. Her loving and giving spirit will live on through all who knew her.

Marian Ryckman Longyear was born in Detroit, MI on January 17, 1918 and grew up in Detroit. She attended nursing school at Grace Hospital, where she met her future husband, Harold. The family settled in Bloomfield Hills for 35 years where Marian’s adventurous spirit led her to many varied activities with family and friends. She was active as a scout leader, glass art teacher, Sunday school teacher and a member of the Kirk in the Hills Prayer Cordon and Bible study.

Marian and Harold retired to Leelanau County where they loved living in the woods with nature, Lake Michigan and the Crystal River. They were “snowbirds,” spending the winters in Naples and Sarasota, Florida. With a lively sense of fun and an inquisitive, inventive mind, Marian thoroughly enjoyed life. Songs of praise echoed through the woods from Marian’s Bible study group. Family and friends, church fellowship at the Glen Lake Community Church, a love of nature, and a creativity with arts and crafts provided her many interests.

Marian was the loving wife of the late Dr. Harold Longyear for 70 years; cherished mother of Sylvia Heggen, Charlotte Tharp and Howard Longyear (wife, Leah); grandmother to nine grandchildren, Kristyn McKendrick (Andrew), Eric Heggen (deceased), Jonathan Heggen (Elizabeth), Timothy Tharp, Stephen Tharp (Jessica), Kimberly Tharp, Rebecca Tharp, Alexander Longyear and Hamilton Longyear; and six great grandchildren, Lindsay McKendrick, Gavin McKendrick, Cameron McKendrick, James McKendrick, Samuel Heggen and Donovan Ward Tharp.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be at Glen Lake Community Reformed Church in Glen Arbor on Saturday, May 28th at 11:00AM.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to any one of Marian's favorites listed below:

• Glen Lake Community Reformed Church

4902 W. MacFarlane Rd.

Glen Arbor, MI 49636

• Compassion International

https://www.compassion.com/contribution/default.htm

(street address not required)

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

• Focus On The Family

https://giving.family.org/helpfamilies/index.cfm?refcd=OLZZXD

(street address not required)

Colorado Springs, CO 80995

• InTouch Ministries

https://store.intouch.org/p-3991-make-a-donation.aspx

P.O. Box 7900

Atlanta, GA. 30357

• American Bible Society

http://www.americanbible.org/ways-to-give

P.O. Box 96812

Washington, D.C. 20090-6812

• American Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org

PO Box 4002018

Des Moines IA 50340-2018

Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, Sarasota, FL.