Marcia Lynne Morrison

Morrison, Marcia Lynne Marcia Lynne (Johnston) Morrison, age 86, died on October 17, 2022 at Kairos Dwelling surrounded by her family. The daughter of Floyd M. Johnston and Ardath Eileen (Barnard) Johnston, she was born August 14, 1936 in her grandmother's home in Pontiac, Michigan. She attended Pontiac schools and graduated from Flint Central High School in 1954. Marcia pursued her love of music at Kalamazoo College where she studied voice with Mabel Overly and organ with Katherine Loew, and sang in the annual Bach Festival, graduating in the spring of 1958 with a major in Music Education and a minor in Spanish. In 1957, Marcia's parents tasked her with finding a beautiful birthstone ring for her college graduation. She made a visit to Paul E. Morrison, Jewelers and asked to see their Peridot rings. A young Howard Morrison came forward to assist the dark-haired co-ed with the big brown eyes, and found himself quite smitten. Together they designed a lovely custom ring and their courtship began. The following summer, on August 2nd, 1958, Marcia Lynne Johnston married Howard Brown Morrison at Oak Park Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan. Marcia's music career spanned fourteen years with Kalamazoo Public Schools, teaching at Northglade, Parkwood-Upjohn, Lincoln Elementary and South Junior High Schools, focusing not only on a foundation of good music skills, but also building each child's confidence through public performance. By 1971, she and Howard had four young kids of their own, and she accepted the newly-created position of Organist and Choirmaster of St. Luke's Girls Choir in Kalamazoo. During her many years at St. Luke's, she led her singers in weekly services, annual concerts and group performances with other churches in the Episcopal Diocese of West Michigan. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists and enjoyed attending their annual conventions, with classes by outstanding artists and the opportunity to play some of the finest instruments in the U.S. and abroad. Marcia's artistic and creative nature was boundless and expressed through her extraordinary sewing, fine tailoring, knitting, embroidery, interior design and landscape projects. She made gowns of the finest silk and elegant menswear in wool and cashmere for Howard. She designed kitchens and bathrooms and helped the craftsmen figure out how to make her custom cabinetry. She painted like a pro and installed wallpaper better than any contracted specialist, then made the drapes to match. Most of all, Marcia loved to travel. She'd memorize every AAA map, triptych and brochure and planned wonderful adventures. From a tent with sleeping bags and a Coleman lantern, to a pop-up camper with real bunks and a gas stove, to an Airstream trailer with a refrigerator and ceiling fan, Marcia got everyone packed up, hitched up and on the road. Some of the best memories were from Sebago Lake in Maine, Mammoth Cave, KY, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, CO, Devils Tower, WY, Mt. Rushmore, SD, Williamsburg, VA, Washington D.C. and the family's favorite destination: Nova Scotia. In later years, she and Howard enjoyed travels throughout the U.K., Western Europe, Australia and Japan. And she didn't stop there. As a young mother in the late '60's, Marcia took flying lessons with Sterling Hoover at Kal-Aero and earned her private pilot's license. She and her co-pilot Ruth Eismann competed in the Michigan Powder Puff Derby and landed triumphantly at the finish line in northern Michigan. Her family, though, was the center of her world. The Johnston Family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas were the highlights of each year, marked with great food, great family and singing around the piano. And with four children of her own and their families, Marcia was blessed with visits almost every day. Her love, artistry and musical talent live on in the family she leaves behind: Barbara and David McNeil and their daughter, Brenna of Boise, Idaho, and Diane Morrison, Cynthia Morrison, Michael Morrison and Linda Mah and their children Marlyre, Nicholas, Julia, Ava and Lena. Marcia was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Ardath Johnston, her parents-in-law, Paul and Leona Morrison, and her husband of 57 years, Howard Morrison. Visitation will take place from 6 to 8pm on Saturday, November 5th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, November 6th at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 247 West Lovell Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Inurnment will follow in St. Luke's Columbarium. Please note: The family requests that all persons attending wear masks, which will be available at both the visitation and service. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church Music Fund or Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com