Obituary for Marilyn Ruth Atkinson (Pfeiffer)
Marilyn Ruth (Pfeiffer) Atkinson, age 72 of Canton, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2020, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, from complications due to a respiratory illness.
Marilyn was born on May 30, 1947, in Burbank, California, the daughter of Carl Pfeiffer and Georgia (Heisick) Pfeiffer. She grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, with her two sisters, Kathryn and Judy, and attended Rosary High School.
She then attended the University of Michigan graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and served on the house corporation board after graduation. While working full-time for Parke Davis in Ann Arbor writing reports for the FDA on clinical drug trials, she attended the Detroit College of Law evening program from 1970 to 1975, graduating cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree and passing the bar exam shortly thereafter.
Marilyn lived most of her adult life in Ann Arbor and was an ardent U of M football fan attending many home games at the “Big House.” She was also an avid reader and an accomplished duplicate bridge player competing in many local, regional and national tournaments. Marilyn also loved taking aerobics classes at Vic Tanny near Briarwood. In addition, she loved to travel and took many family car and motorhome trips, mostly out west. One of her favorite places to visit was Palm Springs, California, in the winter.
After her children became teenagers, she began a career in retail sales and eventually became the store manager of the La-Z-Boy Furniture store in Canton, where she retired in 2009.
Marilyn was an extremely bright, generous, quick-witted, animal-loving woman, who loved the sun on her face and her toes in the sand. She had a great appreciation for fine cuisine, and enjoyed listening to oldies and country music.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Judy Simon. Marilyn is survived by her two children, Brian (Patty) Atkinson and Laura (Chris) Koerner; grandchildren, Lindsey Atkinson, Jared Atkinson, Samantha Koerner and Kelsey Koerner; her sister, Kathryn Tyler (Charles Kidd); and two nephews, Jeffrey (Jessica) Tyler and Matthew (Alyssa) Tyler.
At Marilyn’s request, there will not be a formal service, but her family will gather for a private celebration to honor her memory. The family suggests that friends may make a donation to one of Marilyn’s favorite charities: The Salvation Army, or your local Humane Society or animal shelter.
Marilyn was born on May 30, 1947, in Burbank, California, the daughter of Carl Pfeiffer and Georgia (Heisick) Pfeiffer. She grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, with her two sisters, Kathryn and Judy, and attended Rosary High School.
She then attended the University of Michigan graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and served on the house corporation board after graduation. While working full-time for Parke Davis in Ann Arbor writing reports for the FDA on clinical drug trials, she attended the Detroit College of Law evening program from 1970 to 1975, graduating cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree and passing the bar exam shortly thereafter.
Marilyn lived most of her adult life in Ann Arbor and was an ardent U of M football fan attending many home games at the “Big House.” She was also an avid reader and an accomplished duplicate bridge player competing in many local, regional and national tournaments. Marilyn also loved taking aerobics classes at Vic Tanny near Briarwood. In addition, she loved to travel and took many family car and motorhome trips, mostly out west. One of her favorite places to visit was Palm Springs, California, in the winter.
After her children became teenagers, she began a career in retail sales and eventually became the store manager of the La-Z-Boy Furniture store in Canton, where she retired in 2009.
Marilyn was an extremely bright, generous, quick-witted, animal-loving woman, who loved the sun on her face and her toes in the sand. She had a great appreciation for fine cuisine, and enjoyed listening to oldies and country music.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Judy Simon. Marilyn is survived by her two children, Brian (Patty) Atkinson and Laura (Chris) Koerner; grandchildren, Lindsey Atkinson, Jared Atkinson, Samantha Koerner and Kelsey Koerner; her sister, Kathryn Tyler (Charles Kidd); and two nephews, Jeffrey (Jessica) Tyler and Matthew (Alyssa) Tyler.
At Marilyn’s request, there will not be a formal service, but her family will gather for a private celebration to honor her memory. The family suggests that friends may make a donation to one of Marilyn’s favorite charities: The Salvation Army, or your local Humane Society or animal shelter.