Marilyn Jean Andersen

Andersen, Marilyn Jean Verduin

7/25/1934 - 1/9/2024

Norton Shores

Marilyn Jean Verduin Andersen, wife of the late Roger A. Andersen, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at age 89. Marilyn was born on July 25, 1934 to James and Verna (Schultz) Verduin. Both her parents were teachers in the Muskegon Heights school system, which Marilyn attended, followed by Albion College (B.A.) and the University of Chicago (M.A. English).

Marilyn was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church. She met her future husband, Roger, in the church nursery school. They delayed dating until college, married on August 17, 1957 and enjoyed 61 years of marriage before Roger's passing in 2018. Together they shared a love of sailing, living together on and around the water throughout their lives.

A gifted wordsmith and lifelong booster of Muskegon, Marilyn was a freelance writer on the arts and culture of the community. In the 1980's she was writer and editor of The Muskegon Chronicle's quarterly magazine, Currents. Thereafter she wrote The Centennial History of the Hackley Public Library, and in 2012 she authored Pictures of the Best Kind: The First Century of the Muskegon Museum of Art.

SURVIVORS

Marilyn is survived by two daughters and a son: Marcia Mahoney (J. Stephen Poor) of Chicago, Elizabeth "Betsy" Andersen (Stephen Pomper) of Washington D.C., James Andersen (Lisa Kasabian) of Jamestown, Rhode Island; seven grandchildren, Daniel (Samantha) O'Mahoney, Patrick O'Mahoney, Anna Pomper, Nicholas Pomper, Charles Pomper, Katherine Poor (Benjamin Salk), Amanda (Joseph) Crosland; and four great-grandchildren, August and Zula Crosland, and Acadia and Margot Salk. In addition, Marilyn was blessed with a loving extended family and many dear friends from every phase of her long life.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

The family held a private graveside burial service in January. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 1201 Jefferson Street in Muskegon. An hour before the service, beginning at 9:30, family will welcome guests in the Church parlor. Following the service the celebration will continue with light refreshments and the sharing of memories in the Church Fellowship Hall. Guests are welcome to come in whatever attire is comfortable for them. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Hackley Public Library or the First Congregational Church. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.