Marian L. Mcintyre

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Marian McIntyre made a significant impact in the lives of countless people around her in such a special way. She was gracious and kindhearted with just the right amount of spunk thrown in. Marian was a devoted mother to be sure, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother was her greatest gift. She was lively and spirited throughout her entire life and fully embraced each day as a blank slate to fill with faith, family, and fun. Marian will be deeply missed while her memory remains forever near and dear to the hearts of many. Life during the early 1900s was very different from the life we know in America today. There were struggles with monopolies while conditions in the workplace were quite often less than ideal. Our nations youth were more regularly found in the work force than they were in the classroom, which meant that it was frequently these young people who paid the highest price with workplace conditions. It was during this unprecedented time that a young couple near Roscommon, Michigan, was pleased to announce the birth of their daughter on November 14, 1914. Marian was one of five children born to her parents, Ira and Alice ( Striffler) Reagh. She was delivered in a log cabin in the woods by her father as there was a violent snowstorm outside. Marians older sister, Peggy, said, The doctor didnt bring the baby, as he wasnt even there! Her father, Ira tried farming, but with poor farming conditions and his health could not farm, so he became a drayman working at a logging camp where Alice, Marians mother, was a cook. In addition to her sister, Peggy, Marian was raised in the family home in Cass City alongside her other siblings, Stanley, John, and Grant. In many ways Marian experienced a typical upbringing. From an early age she read anything she could get her hands on. She attended a rural elementary school where she excelled in her studies. In fact, Marian was promoted to the seventh grade after finishing her fifth grade year, skipping sixth grade altogether. One of her closest friends while growing up was Ruth Schenck. During her high school years Marian moved in town where she lived with a family so that she could attend high school. The days of the late 1920s and 1930s were anything but easy as the Great Depression blanketed our nation, but Marians family held fast to their faith, attending church when they could. After graduating from Cass City High School in 1931, Marian was excited for all that life had in store. New and exciting changes were on the horizon when she met the young man who stole her heart. His name was Bill McIntyre, and they met at a dance in Detroit where he was leading the band. After dating for a time, Marian and Bill were married on November 10, 1934, in Cass City. Together they were blessed with the births of two children, Bill in 1940 and Nancy in 1941. Their early years were spent in Detroit, but in 1948 they moved their family to North Muskegon. Being with her family was always Marians top priority. The bulk of the discipline fell on her shoulders as a mother, but she was always caring and fair with her children. The McIntyres enjoyed trips to Florida and Canada as well as to gather with family during the holidays. They also treasured family traditions like backyard picnics and working in the garden. Dogs were an important part of their lives and like additional members of the family. Throughout her entire journey, Marians life was enriched in so many ways. She worked as a secretary for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company in Muskegon for many years until retiring in 1979 when she was 65. Marian was blessed with a green thumb and an eye for making beautiful arrangements as she was awarded several blue ribbons from the Muskegon Garden Club for her work. She was a longtime member of Community United Methodist Church and a few of their organizations including Marthas Circle and the 39ers. In addition to the Muskegon Garden Club, Marian was a member of Friends of Walker Library and The Red Hat Society as well as a regular volunteer for MAP. Marian was also a long time member of the Muskegon Womens Club (at one time she was the secretary). Playing cards, doing crosswords, and square dancing were other favorite activities. Marians family appreciated her superb skills in the kitchen as she loved baking pies and desserts for family occasions and special events. She was known to spoil her son-in-law, Marvin, with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies on more than one occasion, too. Canning strawberries, red raspberry jam, applesauce, apricots, pears, and pickles kept her busy for several years as well. Everything that Marian loved was made better when shared with her loved ones. For several years she helped Bob and Ruth Long wrap their childrens gifts on Christmas Eve, and she also shared close friendships with Hyle and Jennie Claflin, Joe and Irene Horvath, and Bob and Dorothy Hansen. After Bills death, Marian often had Friday night dinner with Maxine Burrous, Barb Ross, and Art Bunce. During her retirement years she did some traveling and spent several years exercising at church twice a week with her daughter and son-in-law. Marian checked something off her bucket list just this past July when she rode on a Harley-Davidson! Grandchildren were her greatest delight, and she was very close to all of her grandchildren. She continued to cherish times her whole family got together for birthdays, holidays, or just a visit. Marian canned alongside Tami for several years and more recently felt honored to share a November birthday with great-granddaughter, Lauren, whose birthday fell just one day before hers did. Although she was small in stature, Marian didnt let anything hold her back, and she was known for her unending spirit of independence. She was also proud - to the point where she rarely asked for help. On one such occasion Marian slipped on some ice while getting out of a Blazer that sat high off the ground. She actually slipped right under the car, but she popped right back up and hightailed it to the door with her signature brisk gait. With endless energy, timeless wisdom, and never-ending love for her family, Marian McIntyre shared a lifetime of priceless moments with her family and friends. Her zest for life was inspiring, and when coupled with her strong determination there was nothing that Marian couldnt take on. Life will never be the same without her here, but her timeless legacy will continue through the lives of those she leaves behind. Marian L. McIntyre died on Friday, May 31, 2013. Marians family includes her son, William H. (Judi) McIntyre II and daughter, Nancy Reagh Johnson; grandchildren; Shawn, Tami, Doug; great grandchildren, Christian, Madeline, Lauren, Tristan, Tyler, Collin, Adam, Drew, Ethan. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; one sister, Margaret "Peggy" Curtis; three brothers, Stanley, John and Grant and son-in-law Marvin Johnson. Services will be held on Friday, June 14, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church with Rev. Philip Friedrick officiating. Visit with Marians family and friends on Friday, one hour prior to the service at Community United Methodist Church. Memorials can be mare to Muskegon Harbor Hospice or Community United Methodist Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.