Marilyn Walters

Marilyn Walters, 95, passed away peacefully October 6, 2023, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Marilyn was born July 21, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Orville Noble and Bertrice Belle (VanRensselaer) Stone. She attended Cleveland public schools followed by the University of Michigan, where she earned her B.A. in Education in 1950. She married Harold L. Walters on June 23, 1951 and settled in Cleveland, where she taught fourth grade for five years. In 1956 the young couple moved to Lathrup Village, Michigan, then in 1963 to Birmingham, Michigan, where they lived until 1990. In that year, following Harold’s death, Marilyn moved to Lake Orion, Michigan, then in 2008 she came to Grand Rapids, where she remained until her death. She was a longtime and active member of First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham and later Westminster Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids. Marilyn also owned a home in Green Valley, Arizona, where she enjoyed being a “snow bird” for more than thirty years and regularly attended Valley Presbyterian Church there. She was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and P.E.O., and a devoted Wolverines fan who for decades tailgated with friends and family at every home game in Ann Arbor. She was a life-long volunteer and served in leadership capacities with gusto in every organization to which she belonged. Marilyn was a vivacious and loving person of whom it has rightly been observed, “she never met a stranger.” She is survived by her children: Mark Walters (Mary) of Birmingham, David Walters (Cindy) of Lake Orion, Jonathan Walters of Walla Walla, WA, and Martha Walters Atwater (Stuart) of Grand Rapids; nine grandchildren: Amanda Walters, Allie Walters, Meaghan Walters Cole (Joel), Jennifer Walters Santamour (Zac), Evelyn Atwater, Margaret Atwater, Tanner Atwater, Lauren Fry-Tzourova (Todor), and Morgan Fry; seven great-grandchildren: Bella and Kellan Pellegrini, Abby Figot, Adeleigh and Logan Cole, and Jack and Polly Santamour. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two infant children, and her sister, Lucy S. Vonderhaar of Birmingham. Because education was of central importance to Marilyn, and in recognition of her longtime support for favorite charities, anyone who wishes to honor her memory may send donations in her name to the P.E.O Sisterhood Chapter AC (please mail donations to P.E.O. Chapter AC, c/o B. Bartek, 1099 Elmwood Drive, Jenison, Michigan 49428 or click the link below to donate online) or Berea College (click the link below to donate online). Marilyn will be sorely missed. M Go Blue! To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Walters, please visit our flower store.