Marilyn A Colburn's Obituary
Marilyn Annette Colburn, 91, went to be with her Lord in the early hours of July 19, 2019, while in the compassionate care of Poppen House Residence – Harbor Hospice. She was born in Chicago, Ill., to Clive and Bertha (Johnson) Paulson on March 7, 1928. At a very early age, Marilyn moved to North Muskegon where she went to school, graduating from high school in 1945. After graduation, she worked in the high school office before continuing her education at Muskegon Junior College (now Muskegon Community College). While at “Good Old J.C.,” Marilyn met her two lifelong best friends — Lois Jelier Nelson and Burrill Colburn, a returning World War II G.I. who became much more than her friend. But first, she moved on to Michigan State College (University) from which she received a degree in elementary education in 1949. In the meantime, Burrill was studying at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry when he was called back to active military duty the summer between his junior and senior years. He only had two weeks off before returning to school, but the young couple made the most of the short time. Marilyn and Burrill were married Aug. 12, 1950, with her best friend, Lois, at her side. A week later, Lois married Charles Nelson, this time with Marilyn as her matron of honor. After their honeymoon, the Colburns took up residence in Willow Village outside Ann Arbor. Marilyn taught second grade at Willow Village School while her husband finished dental school. After graduation, Dr. Colburn was immediately called back into active duty in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps and was assigned to Larson Air Force Base Hospital, Moses Lake, Wash. While there, Marilyn worked at the local Credit Bureau and later as a kindergarten teacher on base. Her classroom was full — 50 children in the morning and another 50 in the afternoon! When Burrill’s two-year tour was over, they moved back to North Muskegon where Marilyn taught kindergarten in the school she attended as a child. As their family grew, the Colburns moved to Norton Shores. Marilyn was active in the community and her church, participating in Lakeside United Methodist’s Charity Circle and United Methodist Women, Muskegon Dental Society Auxiliary, Y’smenetts, as well as Hackley Hospital Cherry Guild. She currently is a member of Lake Harbor United Methodist Church. In 1992, Marilyn was named Muskegon County Mother of the Year. Friendships were very important to her; she belonged to the “North Muskegon Bridge Club” for 60 years, as well as several other clubs. When son Jeffery joined his father in practice, Marilyn reentered the workforce as the “insurance expediter” with the agreement “when Dr. Burrill retired, she quit.” When the couple retired, she enjoyed traveling to Australia and sailing. After a fall and several back surgeries several years ago, she became less active outside the home. Recently several strokes curtailed her activities even farther, but testimony to her spirit, she was in church just two weeks ago. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; beloved aunts, Etta Paulson Evans, Nelsa Paulson Belote and Anne Paulson Doyle. She is survived by her husband of almost 69 years, Burrill; her children, Jerry (Barbara Holt) Colburn, Dr. Jeffery and Sherry(White) Colburn, Sue and Paul Fiori , and Jon (David Anderson) Colburn; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; cousins Mary Forner Benson, Marian Johnson, Edward and Lizbeth Johnson; and her best friend, Lois Nelson. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49441. The FUNERAL will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, with visitation at 10 a.m., at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church, 4861 Henry St. The Rev. Mary Ivanov will officiate. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Poppen House or Lake Harbor U.M.C. Please visit www.sytsemafh.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.
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