Marilyn Jenkins Ramirez

Marilyn Clare Jenkins Ramirez was born on July 30, 1947 to Milta and Maurice Goehmann in Detroit, Michigan. Marilyn was better known as “#3” or “Puddy” to her brother Glenn and sisters Renie, Gretchen, and Holly. She graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School where she was cheerleading captain and a synchronized swimmer. After getting her degree in education at Eastern Michigan University, Marilyn taught P.E. and coached the girls’ gymnastics team at Lamphere High School in Madison Heights, Michigan. Soon she found herself raising 3 small children while moving from Kentucky to England to Italy, and eventually settled back near family in Dearborn, Michigan.

Marilyn was incredibly creative and a master of the home arts. From gardening to wallpapering to stitching Halloween costumes, she did it all! She baked and decorated beautiful (and delicious!) cakes for family and friends. She also crafted incredible pieces of calligraphy, sewing, embroidery, crochet, and quilting, with several gems winning blue ribbons at the Michigan State Fair. Children and grandchildren enjoyed her stuffed animals, quiet books, matching girl & doll dresses, and the infamous shants. Her penmanship was flawless! She was a fixture at the local pool for many years, becoming a manager and coaching synchronized swimming. Marilyn loved chocolate, General Hospital, manicures, Hummel figurines, and bragging about her kids and grandkids every chance she got. She was a devoted Lutheran and an active member of the Ladies’ Guild at Guardian Lutheran Church.

Marilyn vowed that she’d never marry again unless someone “came to her door” – who better than George the mailman! After lunching together at the Claremont house for months, George and Marilyn married in 1989. They loved their date nights together (sans children, of course). Marilyn then recertified as a teacher and taught middle school P.E, ironing her t-shirts every day to make sure she looked impeccable. Later in life Marilyn continued to enjoy sewing, Hallmark movies, sunbathing, and swimming. She loved caring for, doting on, and reading to her grandchildren. George and Marilyn eventually moved to Northbrook, Illinois and were members at Grace Lutheran Church. She stayed active until Parkinson’s disease began to slow her down. At age 77, she passed away at home on June 4, 2025, just 8 weeks after her husband.

Marilyn was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ismael George Ramirez, and parents Milta and Maurice Goehmann. She is survived by her four siblings; her children Megan Meuse (Mike), Gavin Jenkins (Heather), and Mara Navarre (Tyson); her step-daughters Elizabeth Nelson (Gary), Rebecca Ponto (Rob), and Susan Sholty (Paul); and 14 beloved grandchildren.

Mom, you did good work!

On Friday, June 13, 2025, a visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Manns Family Funeral Home in Livonia, MI.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, a visitation will be held at 10:00am at Guardian Lutheran Church in Dearborn, MI, followed by a funeral service at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marilyn’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michael j fox.org).