Marilyn Kay (Matts) McKenzie

Marilyn Kay (Matts) McKenzie, of Alanson, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, having just turned 78 years old.

Marilyn was born on July 2, 1947, in Grayling, Michigan; the first of six children born to LaVerne and Elizabeth (Watson) Matts. She took her role as the eldest very seriously, always looking out for all her younger siblings.

She met David McKenzie in the fall of 1973 at Tower Baptist Church in Tower, Michigan. They fell quickly in love and were married on August 10, 1974. Marilyn and Dave were inseparable for over 47 years before he preceded her in death on January 20, 2022.

She attended Wolverine Baptist Church for over 40 years, and spent the majority of those years as custodian with her husband.

Marilyn worked in health care in various forms throughout the years, but her favorite job was making sure her grandkids had enough banana bread, rice crispy treats, and no bake cookies.

Marilyn loved flowers, gardening, cooking, feeding people, and spending her time outdoors and with her family. She was also a very talented artist, most of her paintings being scenes from the outdoors that she loved so much.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, LaVerne and Elizabeth Matts, her beloved husband, Dave McKenzie, and her son, Mark McKenzie.

She is survived by her siblings: Bob Matts, Marge Provo, Dave Matts, Larry (Deborah) Matts, and Rich (Marge) Matts; her sons: Tim McKenzie of Boyne City, and Joe (Laura Beth) McKenzie of Gobles; her seven grandchildren: Madison, Makayla, Dylan, Tyra, Lindzie, Joey, and Luke; her three great-grandchildren: Bentley, Izabella, and Sebashtyan, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral officiated by Pastor Jason Springer will be on July 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM and burial will follow the funeral at Littlefield Township Cemetery at 12:00 PM. 

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc. of Petoskey, Michigan. 

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