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Marilyn Keene

March 7, 2019
Kalamazoo, MI

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Keene, Marilyn 6/5/1930 - 3/7/2019 Kalamazoo Marilyn Marie (Mason) Keene, age 88, of Kalamazoo MI, passed away peacefully at Friendship Village on March 7th, 2019, with family by her side. Marilyn was born on June 5, 1930 in Kalamazoo, MI. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1948 and attended Western Michigan University where she met the love of her life, James Terrell Keene. On July 27th, 1951 they were married. Marilyn was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She treasured her family and brought humor and joy to all who knew her. An avid gardener, Marilyn loved to be outdoors among her flowers. Instilling the love of the natural world through her activities, Marilyn worked as a nursery school teacher, a 4-H leader and enjoyed her time as a local garden club member. She also nurtured her business acumen by teaching ceramics and starting a successful floral business that specialized in providing silk flowers for weddings. She also enjoyed writing poetry and stories for her grandchildren, painting beautiful watercolors, and researching her family history. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 68 years, James Terrell Keene, daughters Suzanne (Brian) Rucker, Lori (Floyd) Phalen; grandchildren Lindsey Rucker, James (Maggie) Rucker, Emily (Kyle Waite) Rucker; great grandchildren Marilyn Waite and Max Rucker; sister Janis (Jack) Loomis and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Beulah (Loomis) Mason and Alton Mason, sister Barbara Vanden Akker, brother and sister in law, Richard and Avis Keene, nephews Ronald Keene, Brian Loomis and Robert Vanden Akker, and nieces Diane Burhans and Sharon Loomis. A celebration of life gathering will be held on April 27, 2019 at 11 A.M. at Schoolcraft United Methodist Church, 342 N Grand St, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. A time of visiting and fellowship at the church will be held following the celebration. Private burial services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Marilyn's name to Doctors Without Borders. For more information, please call Avink Funeral Home, Schoolcraft, MI.129 S. Grand P.O. Box 417, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. Phone: 269-679-5622.