Marilyn Rogers

Families are like quilts lives pieced together, stitched with smiles and tears, colored with memories and bound with love and a prayer. For Marilyn Rogers, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. She cherished them with all her heart, caring from them in times of need and celebrating with them in times of joy. Her years of devotion afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. With the Great Depression hanging over the country, the year 1934 was a time of difficulty for all Americans. The unemployment rate pushed toward new heights, affecting one in four people. Those who did have jobs were often underpaid and overworked. It was a challenging time, but DR Perry and his wife, Onota (West), maintained their positive spirits by focusing on a new blessing in their lives, the birth of their daughter, Marilyn Jean, on March 8, 1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with her brother, Richard, Marilyn was raised in Rockford, Michigan, attended schools there and graduated from Rockford High School. Shortly after graduating high school, Marilyn went to work at General Research as a purchasing agent. Her life also took a new direction when she met William S. Rogers and they fell in love. The two were happily married in Sparta, Michigan on October 24, 1954. After a few years of marriage, Marilyn and Bill were ready to start a family and were overjoyed with the birth of their daughter, Cynthia, on October 26, 1958, and their son, William, on March 2, 1960. Bill was part of the Sparta Fire Department and Marilyn was known as the great entertainer for all of the Sparta fireman. They wonderful backyard summer parties where a great time was had by all. She also was the one person that did the best Fireman's Christmas parties, right down to the party favors. Time together as a family was always very important to Marilyn and Bill, and they took many opportunities to get together with their families throughout the year. The holidays were an especially happy time at Bill and Marilyns home as their loved ones gathered around the fireplace, sharing cherished moments together. A quote from one of Marilyns photo albums stated Our family is a circle of strength and love, something she took great pride in. When her kids were younger, Marilyn enjoyed taking them to Holland for the tulip time festivities. In later years, when she was blessed with three precious grandchildren, Marilyn poured the same amount of love into these relationships as she did with her own children. She would have devoted every moment to her grandkids, if time allowed. Marilyn and Bill had a wonderful marriage. They enjoyed many good times together, browsing around flea markets or taking leisure walks on the beach. They had many good friends they enjoyed spending time with too. Marilyn often talked about a wonderful trip she took with her daughter, Cindi, and her husband, Hank, out west to the Grand Canyons and Las Vegas in a Winnebago. Marilyn loved to be active in her community as well and was a member of the Newcomers Club of Grand Haven, which helped new residences of the area get acquainted with their town. She was also a member of the Church of the Dunes United Methodist Church. For about the last three years, Marilyns health had started to fail and she was in and out of the hospital often. Throughout this time, Bill was vigilantly by her side and her constant caregiver, making sure her needs were always met. Sadly, Marilyn died on Friday, December 7, 2007, at the age of 73. What gave Marilyn the greatest joy was sharing herself with her family, offering them the most precious gift she possessed her time. It is a gift none of her family will ever forget. She is survived by her husband, William S. Rogers; 1 son, William P. (Annie) Rogers of Morley, MI; 1 daughter, Cynthia (Hank) McNeil of Rockford, MI; 3 grandchildren, Bryan & Kayleigh Rogers of Sparta, MI & Samantha McNeil of Rockford, MI; 1 brother, Richard (Beverly) Perry of Grand Haven. Funeral services for Marilyn will be held on Monday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m. at Church of the Dunes with Rev. Daniel Duncan officiating. Interment at Lake Forest Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with her family on Sunday, December 9, from 1-5 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Grand Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to Love Inc. Please visit Marilyns memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.