Marilyn Joan Parker

Marilyn J. Parker went to be with the Lord after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born November 16, 1932 in Brighton, Massachusetts, and after marrying William C. Parker, became a devoted wife, mother of 5, beloved grandmother and great grandmother. She spent her life serving others in many capacities while always finding time to enjoy her family and friends, traveling the world, and keeping her hands busy with creative work. She happily and diligently worked to fulfill the biblical directives to love her neighbors and care for those less fortunate. This included the elderly at St. Ann's Church through "Older Bunch for Lunch," orphaned and abandoned girls in Mexico, and underprivileged at a food bank in N. Fort Myers, Florida. Her greatest treasures were her children: Bill Parker (Jackie), Mike Parker (Cindy), Anne Hartzfeld (Lynn), Sue Mcilvain, (Lance), Mary VanderWal (Frans). Her grandchildren, John, Steven, Sarah, Wesley, Ryan, Blake, William and Karina brought her immeasurable joy and they adored her. Alzheimer's took hold before she could know her 4 great-grandchildren. Her legacy will be her radiant smile, adventurous spirit, and commitment to face difficulty with grace and courage. These gifts will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat of the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed...Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gates." Proverbs 31 Please consider contributing to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org; Hospice of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007; or Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. A memorial service will be held on a future date to be determine -