Marion Denison

Marion was born May 8, 1930, in East Grand Rapids, MI to Frank and Margaret (Thomas) DuMond, the second of their four children. She graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1948. Marion graduated from Western Michigan College in 1952 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. While at Western, she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and on the staff at the Western Herald. It was there that she met her future husband, Robert Denison.

Marion and Robert settled in Kalamazoo after their August 31, 1957 wedding where they raised their family. Son, David, was born in 1962, James in 1966 and Susan in 1969. Marion was very involved in their schools as well as chauffeuring many kids around town to sports practices and games. In later years, Marion served on the board at Shaw Theatre at WMU and enjoyed her knitting group at the Coover Center.

Marion and Robert were blessed to be able to travel extensively throughout their marriage having achieved Marion’s goal of traveling to all seven continents. During an intimate picnic while in Australia, Robert said “We are the luckiest people on earth”. Marion agreed and treasured those words for the rest of her life. They shared so many amazing adventures together returning 15 times to their favorite place, Pitlochry, Scotland.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2008, siblings: David in 2008, Robert in 2017 and Carolyn in 2023. She is survived by her son, David Dension of Kalamazoo and grandchildren Robert and Thomas Denison; son, James (Marissa) Denison of Kalamazoo and grandchildren: Ava, Skyler, Eliza, Oliver, and Finley Denison; and daughter, Susan Denison of Kalamazoo. Marion is also survived by her brother-in-law Robert Laird, and nieces: Lucy Laird and Kim Laird; sisters-in-law: Lorraine Denison and Adrianne DuMond, and twenty other DuMond and Denison nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and Marion and Robert’s ashes will be scattered at their beloved cottage at Lake Cora. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.