Marilynn Suzann Wendt

Dr. Marilynn S. Wendt of Waterford, MI, age 83, went to rest in the peace of her Savior on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

For those close to Marilynn, she was simply known as Mar and was an inspiring sister, aunt, godmother, friend, and colleague who was gracious with her time, eager to share her latest adventures, reading list, or play a game of Uno or Mahjong (just to name a few).   Mar was fiercely independent and loved traveling with friends to destinations throughout the globe and traveling annually to St. Augustine Florida to get away from the Michigan winters.  Mar loved the theater (often traveling long distances to see specific shows), was an avid reader and member of a book club and someone who enjoyed a good crossword puzzle.   She was very devoted to her faith and a member of Peace Lutheran.  Mar loved being surrounded by family, rarely missing a family event, making it a priority to attend her nieces and nephews many events including, baptisms, first communions, school plays, recitals, graduations, weddings, and was always present for holiday gatherings.

Marilynn was the first in her family to graduate college.   She attended Bay City Junior College, receiving an Associate of Arts in 1959, after which she began her teaching career.  While teaching full-time, she continued her education at Central Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1962 and a Master of Arts in 1964.  Marilynn went on to enroll at Wayne State University, where she obtained her Doctor of Education degree in 1971.

Marilynn retired from the Waterford School District in 2006, with many professional recognitions including being a recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award from the U.S. Office of Education, and a Distinguished Service Award from the Bloomfield Hills School District, as well as recognition with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.  While the recognitions reflected her passion for learning and education, it was her love of teaching that created enduring and lasting connections with many fellow educators and students that existed into her final days.

Marilynn is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Margaret Wendt, brother-in-law Larry Clark and nephew Sean Clark, and is survived by three sisters, Karen Sperry (Richard), Bonnie Clark and Emily Wendt; nieces Lori Loftis, Lisa Knoll, Kelly Romero, and Beth Sheridan; great nieces and nephews Kaitlyn Lohsl, Matthew Loftis, Anthony Romero, Elise Romero, Nicholas Sheridan, Madison Sheridan, and Mason Sheridan.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 8th at Coats Funeral Home, 3141 Sashabaw Rd. Waterford Twp, MI.   Friends will be received at Peace Lutheran Church, 7390 Elizabeth Lake Road, Waterford Saturday, September 9th at 10:30 a.m. preceding the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Waterford Foundation or Peace Lutheran Church.

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