1929
Marilyn
2018
Marilyn Joyce McDonagh
June 17, 1929 — October 31, 2018
Marilyn J. (Myers) McDonagh, age 89, of Marshall died Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at Brookdale of Battle Creek surrounded by her loving family.
Marilyn was born on June 17, 1929 in Detroit to Bernard S. and Wilma (Henley) Myers. She was a graduate of McKenzie High School, class of 1947. She married, James McDonagh on August 7, 1948 in Detroit.
Marilyn and Jim grew up in the same neighborhood. When Marilyn was 16, she was the soda jerk at the neighborhood soda stand when a handsome 19-year-old US Navy Sailor adorned in his dress whites came in for ice cream. Jim introduced himself, and the rest is history! They raised a family of 12 children together in a west side Polish and Irish Detroit neighborhood. Marilyn was a full-time mom and homemaker (her definite full-time job she noted!) while Jim served with the Detroit Police Department. The children grew up enjoying neighborhood gatherings, ball games, and family picnics at Pleasant Lake with their parents. The family moved to Marshall after Jim retired from the Detroit Police Department in 1974. She has lived there since then. Jim, the father of her children preceded her in death in 1998.
Marilyn spent a lifetime volunteering for organizations near to her heart. She was involved with her children in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. She spent time walking and collecting for the March of Dimes in hopes of helping other children. Marilyn's passion was her faith and her unwavering dedication to the Catholic Church. She served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and visited the homebound. Marilyn was also the recipient of the Marshall Volunteer of the Year Award.
She is survived by daughters, Kathryn J. (Denson Todd) McDonagh of Bluffton, SC, Jane M. (James Wolfe) McDonagh of Richland, MI, Peggy McDonagh (Guadalupe) Bravo of Chelsea, Mary Ann (Roger) Churchill of Marshall and Annette M. (Sean) Donnelly of Carson City, NV; sons, Michael S. (Sharon) McDonagh of Edgewater, FL. John P. (Marsha) McDonagh of Naples, FL, David J. McDonagh, James B. (Cheryl) McDonagh of Battle Creek, Kenneth B. (Theresa) McDonagh of Whitmore Lake, MI and Patrick A. McDonagh of Farmington Hills; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Roland (Stella) Myers; and sisters, Marjorie Gross of Royal Oak and Doris Trumbo of Clawson; and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Ruth Ann McDonagh; a son, Dennis H. McDonagh; and a brother, William Myers.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services from 4:00 PM to 8 PM. A funeral Mass to celebrate the gift of her life will be held 10:00 AM Friday, November 30, 2018 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Fr. Craig Lusk officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Memorial may be made by visiting www.hospiceswmi.org or by picking up memorial envelopes at the funeral home.
To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Marshall, MI, 49068
Marshall, MI, 49068
Marilyn was born on June 17, 1929 in Detroit to Bernard S. and Wilma (Henley) Myers. She was a graduate of McKenzie High School, class of 1947. She married, James McDonagh on August 7, 1948 in Detroit.
Marilyn and Jim grew up in the same neighborhood. When Marilyn was 16, she was the soda jerk at the neighborhood soda stand when a handsome 19-year-old US Navy Sailor adorned in his dress whites came in for ice cream. Jim introduced himself, and the rest is history! They raised a family of 12 children together in a west side Polish and Irish Detroit neighborhood. Marilyn was a full-time mom and homemaker (her definite full-time job she noted!) while Jim served with the Detroit Police Department. The children grew up enjoying neighborhood gatherings, ball games, and family picnics at Pleasant Lake with their parents. The family moved to Marshall after Jim retired from the Detroit Police Department in 1974. She has lived there since then. Jim, the father of her children preceded her in death in 1998.
Marilyn spent a lifetime volunteering for organizations near to her heart. She was involved with her children in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. She spent time walking and collecting for the March of Dimes in hopes of helping other children. Marilyn's passion was her faith and her unwavering dedication to the Catholic Church. She served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and visited the homebound. Marilyn was also the recipient of the Marshall Volunteer of the Year Award.
She is survived by daughters, Kathryn J. (Denson Todd) McDonagh of Bluffton, SC, Jane M. (James Wolfe) McDonagh of Richland, MI, Peggy McDonagh (Guadalupe) Bravo of Chelsea, Mary Ann (Roger) Churchill of Marshall and Annette M. (Sean) Donnelly of Carson City, NV; sons, Michael S. (Sharon) McDonagh of Edgewater, FL. John P. (Marsha) McDonagh of Naples, FL, David J. McDonagh, James B. (Cheryl) McDonagh of Battle Creek, Kenneth B. (Theresa) McDonagh of Whitmore Lake, MI and Patrick A. McDonagh of Farmington Hills; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Roland (Stella) Myers; and sisters, Marjorie Gross of Royal Oak and Doris Trumbo of Clawson; and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Ruth Ann McDonagh; a son, Dennis H. McDonagh; and a brother, William Myers.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services from 4:00 PM to 8 PM. A funeral Mass to celebrate the gift of her life will be held 10:00 AM Friday, November 30, 2018 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Fr. Craig Lusk officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Memorial may be made by visiting www.hospiceswmi.org or by picking up memorial envelopes at the funeral home.
To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.
Visitation
NOV 29. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EST)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Mass Of Christian Burial
NOV 30. 10:00 AM (EST)
Saint Mary Catholic ChurchMarshall, MI, 49068
Luncheon Immediately Following Services
NOV 30. 12:00 PM (EST)
Saint Mary Catholic ChurchMarshall, MI, 49068
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Joyce McDonagh, please visit our flower store.
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