- Date Of Birth: January 21, 1934
- Date Of Death: November 20, 2012
- State: Michigan
Marlene Ann (Downing) Silliman
On November 19, 2012, Marlene Silliman passed from this life and was free at last. Born January 21, 1934 to Vaun Isadora (Eastman) and Arthur Gabriel Downing, she joined her brother Kenneth Downing. Marlene was raised in Shepherd, Michigan, where she graduated from Shepherd High School, and excelled in debate. Later in life she graduated summa cum laude from Saginaw Valley College and started her 17-year teaching career with the Midland Public Schools. Marlene retired in 1989, but continued to substitute teach and educate the community about mental illness, focusing on Alzheimer’s, dementia and aging.
Marlene’s parents, Vaun and Arthur, preceded her in death, as did her beloved husband of 31 years, Richard Lewis Silliman. Surviving Marlene are her children Richard Bissell and his wife Rosemary, Diane Bissell, Mark Silliman and his wife Pam, and Scott Silliman; granddaughters Samantha and Chelsea Bissell; grandsons John and Paul Carley, Ryan, Thomas and Justin Silliman, and Michael Finn; brother Kenneth and his wife Lulu, and nieces Pam (Mark) Gruzca, Cynthia Robtoy, and Holly (Russ) Stowers.
Marlene was loved, adored and respected by all. She was a vibrant, wonderful woman who had everyone’s best interests at heart. Her grandchildren will always fondly remember her singing in the kitchen while they ate breakfast together in the summers at the Crooked Lake house. She leaves a lasting footprint on the hearts of those who knew her and she has been, and will be missed more than words are able to convey.
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