Marilyn Johnson

Marilyn (Whyland) Johnson, age 90, of Portage, MI Marilyn Johnson was born July 31, 1927, the daughter of Edythe and William P. Whyland. She graduated from Kearny High School, Kearny, NJ in 1945 and graduated from Syracuse University in 1949, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude. Marilyn was a member of the Eta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. In 1950 she married Donald E. Johnson of Glen Rock, NJ. Surviving are her son Donald E. Johnson and his wife, Elaine Hilmer of Exton, PA; daughters Linda E. Johnson of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI and Wendy M. Johnson of Kalamazoo, MI; grandchildren, Chelsea R. Johnson of Charlotte, NC and Zachary D. Johnson of Charlotte, NC. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald E. Johnson and her grandson, Robert W. Ingalls of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Marilyn was an accomplished local artist. She worked briefly as a freelance fashion illustrator after college. In Kalamazoo she attended classes and workshops at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Her art was represented in many one-person, group and area shows in Southwest Michigan. She taught art for five years at Portage Community Schools and served one year at the Arts Council of Kalamazoo, 3 years on the Board of Directors, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and was a faculty member there also. She loved painting and enjoyed playing the piano, gardening, reading, and quilting. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts or Hospice of Southwest Michigan. The family will gather privately. Marilyn died on October 11, 2017. Cremation has taken place. Avink Funeral Home