Marilyn Brash

Marilyn Jean Brashs journey through life began on a cold fall day, November 1, 1925, in the town of Detroit, Michigan, when Lloyd and Pearl (Ledward) Westover received one more treat after Halloween - their third daughter. Marilyn's two sisters, June and Arlene, joined her in the Westover family. Her dad was a real estate agent while her mother was an elementary teacher for most of her life, finally retiring at 80 years of age. Marilyn was born during a time of peace and prosperity between the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. Her family moved to Muskegon Heights around 1928 where she received her elementary education. With her outgoing and bubbly personality, Marilyn took part in two school plays. Her resourceful mother made her a beautiful dress out of crepe paper for one play, and another from lace curtains and organdy to play the role of Martha Washington when she was six years old. Marilyn lived a busy life right from the start. She attended Temple United Methodist Church as a child. When she was older Marilyn was involved in women's groups and taught vacation Bible school. At the age of 15, she had the fun job of working the candy counter at Woolworth's Dime Store for 25 cents an hour. After graduating from Muskegon Heights High School in 1943, Marilyn moved with her family to Muskegon where she then joined Central United Methodist Church. As a young woman during WWII she worked at Continental Motors in the payroll and bond department. Not to be forgotten during her formative years was Marilyns introduction to the young man who stole her heart. In 1935 during her sixth grade year, she took special notice of the handsome new boy in her class, Curtis Brash. However, it wasn't until after she graduated that he took notice of Marilyns photo in the senior yearbook. Curtis was immediately smitten. During the summer of 1946 when the war was over and he was home from college, Marilyn and Curtis had their first date. Needless to say, a romance between the two of them began to blossom. Soon after, on January 10, 1947, she was wed at Central United Methodist Church in Muskegon to the man of her dreams, Oliver Curtis Brash. In the six years that followed, they had three daughters: Joann, Sandy, and Mary Kay. Curtis and Marilyn built a home on Castle Avenue in Muskegon where they resided until their children were grown. She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker whose life revolved around her family and friends. Curtis was an industrial arts teacher while Marilyn remained at home with the girls until her youngest was in junior high. At that time Marilyn took a job as secretary to the principal at Churchill Porter School in the Mona Shores School District, retiring in 1981 after 19 years of service. Marilyn led a very busy life for sure. Someone once said she reminded them of the "Energizer bunny" simply because she always was on the go, giving her all to those around her. Marilyn's mother taught her how to sew when she was in the 7th grade. This was a skill that served her well throughout her life as a true passion for her was spending hours sewing doll clothes and clothes for her daughters. As a 4-H leader, Marilyn taught all three daughters and their friends how to sew. She also made cheerleading outfits for girls in Bloomingdale, Michigan. Summers were spent camping with Marilyns family at Silver Lake State Park. When her husband volunteered to work as "Chief' at the Wolf Lake 4-H camp during his summers off, it soon became a family affair. Their girls happily became all-summer-long campers, and Marilyn became known as Mrs. Chief in more ways than one! After their girls were married, Marilyn and Curtis moved to a house on White Lake in Whitehall, Michigan, where they resided for the summer while also wintering in Clearwater, Florida. In 1984, they purchased a triplex apartment building in Whitehall where they became landlords. In 1985 they sold both their White Lake home and their Clearwater mobile home and moved to a mobile home in Plant City, Florida, where they spent eight months of the year for seventeen years. Summers were spent living in one of the triplex units or at the cottage they built on Upper Silver Lake. Marilyn was an avid tennis player until 75 years of age. She also loved to read, bike, garden, upholster furniture, and remodel her various homes. Marilyn Jean Brash, age 87, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2013. She is survived by 3 daughters, Joann (David) Miller of Twin Lake, MI, Sandy (Kent) Bainbridge of Okemos, MI, & Mary Kay (Mark) Will of Montague, MI; 1 sister, Arlene Gallup of Muskegon, MI; 1 sister-in-law, Marcia Gruette of Safety Harbor, FL; 7 grandchildren; & 20 great grandchildren. Her husband, Oliver Curtis Brash of 55 years, preceded her in death on March 18, 2002. She was also preceded in death by 1 sister, June Emerson; 1 sister-in-law, Francis Brash; & 4 brothers-in-law, Robert Emerson, Fred Gruette, Maurice Brash, & Marshall Gallup. A 'Celebration of Life" service will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 1011 Second St., Muskegon, MI at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, with Rev. Mark Miller officiating. There will be a time of visitation Monday, October 14, 2013 6-8pm at Clock Funeral Home Muskegon and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Harbor Hospice Poppen House, 1050 W. Western, Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. A Message from Marilyns Daughters A heartfelt thanks to all who enriched our mom's life with their love & friendship during her 87 years of life. Each one of you was instrumental in helping to shape her character & personality into the loving person our family was privileged to know as "Mom, Sister, Aunt, Grandma, GG Mom or GG Brash". We will cherish the wonderful legacy of love she left for all of us, & will greatly miss her presence in our lives!