Marilyn A. Nitchman

Marilyn A. Nitchman, age 91 of Plymouth passed away on July 6, 2022.

Marilyn Alice O’Reilly was born to Ellen Ray and James O’Reilly in Detroit, Michigan on July 26, 1930. She was the third of 5 children, with sisters Vesta, Janice, Colleen and brother Jim. Family lineage has been traced to Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins.

Marilyn attended elementary and middle school at Madonna Catholic school and graduated from St. Benedict High School at 17, having skipped two grades. She worked in food service and other positions at Highland Park General Hospital, and then at Michigan Bell as a teletype operator. An attractive redhead with a vibrant social life, Marilyn was introduced to Earl Nitchman (aka “Nitch”) by a mutual friend and immediately fell in love. They were married November 18, 1950 and honeymooned during a blizzard in the mountains of Pennsylvania.

As soon as they were able to have children, Marilyn became a full-time homemaker.

Their first child, Brady James Nitchman became a partner in an accounting firm, married Barb Rutter and had four children, Joel, Amy, Susan and Michael. Second is Carrie Marie Nitchman, who worked in the auto industry and married Karl Majeske, has three children, Hattie, Blair and Zeke. The youngest is Sally Ann Nitchman, who married Kevin Smith, is a graphic designer and homemaker and has two daughters, Marilyn and Lily.

Marilyn’s children recall her as “the Kool-Aid Mom” with many of their friends thinking of her as a second Mom. She was always around for fun and snacks and all were welcomed warmly into her home.

Marilyn was a great cook, loved painting and basket weaving. She served St. Kenneth Catholic Church as head of the Sacristy, a member of the choir, and later as the church wedding coordinator. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a member of the Lakepoint Garden Club, and created her own social group with fun-loving women who called themselves, “The Maxi Mouse Club”. She learned to speak German, went to Swimnastics and enjoyed walking for exercise.

Marilyn and Nitch loved and prioritized time with family and friends and enjoyed endless entertaining at their home with a beautiful backyard pool. As their nest emptied, they enjoyed travel; Maine and Florida were favorite U.S. destinations and they also went on a Bahamas cruise, traveled to Paris, Italy and Germany. They spent LOTS of time with all their grandchildren, attending games, concerts/recitals, birthdays, holidays and all major milestones.

Marilyn and Nitch moved into Glacier Hills Assisted Living in 2013 and enjoyed carefree time together there until Nitch passed away in July 2015. Marilyn loved visits with loved ones. Her grandchildren are now ushering in the next generation, with 9 great grandchildren as of this biography. Loving families, strong marriages, dedicated parents, academic and career successes throughout the family are evidence that Marilyn’s (and Nitch’s) love of people and life endures!

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan on Monday, July 18, 2022 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth.

Marilyn will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Earl at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Marilyn A. Nitchman are invited to consider a Mass Offering.