R. Marilyn McCarthy

Marilyn (Powell) McCarthy, of Bear Lake, Michigan, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025, at Munson Medical Center Hospice in Traverse City, Michigan. She was 85.
Marilyn was born August 14, 1939, in Bloomfield Township, Missaukee County, Michigan, daughter of Edgar and Lucille (Arnold) Powell. She was one of ten children raised on the family farm on Arnold Road.
She graduated from Manton Rural Agricultural School, class of 1957.
She was a secretary and office manager at McCarthy Real Estate for 30 years. During this time, she also served as offsite loan officer for Northwestern Savings and Loan of Traverse City.
Marilyn married Daryl Francis "Mac" McCarthy (1910-1987) on December 18, 1975. They resided in Cadillac and at their lakeside home in Bear Lake.
In 1987 she was employed by Blarney Castle Oil of Bear Lake, from Supervisor to Director of Merchandise to the Human Resource Department.
After retirement in 2007, she was employed by J.J. Witty's Gift Shop and eventually owner of her own gift shop, Serendipity, in Bear Lake.
Marilyn greatly enjoyed her McCarthy family, spending memorable time with Mac's daughters' and grandchildren's families in celebrated events over the years.
Like her mother, Marilyn enjoyed her time tending her flower gardens and gardening, as well as needlepoint crafts, all the while taking in the views and scenes from her yard on Bear Lake.
Marilyn, the youngest of 10 children, helped her aging grandfather who lived down the road, Andrew Jackson Powell. He once asked her what she would like to have, and expressing his appreciation, her Grandpa Jack gave her his often-rung dinner bell and ancient bedroom washstand, among other treasured items, including rare tin-type family photos from the 1860s.
Marilyn was one of over 40 cousins and always helpful to her extended families. She took the initiative to organize family photo albums; keeping record of family recipes, reunions, events, births, marriages, deaths; researched and compiled a family history; and ensured everyone was invited to and enjoyed the annual Powell Family Reunion and other family gatherings.
Marilyn is survived by "Mac" McCarthy's two daughters (along with six grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and two great-great granddaughters): Mary Ann Jaqua of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Kathy (Jim) Wilson of Palm Harbor, Florida, children of Mac's first wife Marian Louise (Greene) McCarthy (1912-1970) who married Mac in 1934; sister, Wilma Bennett of Westerville, Ohio, and brother Edgar (Betty) Powell of Manton, Michigan; over 20 nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband of 11 years who died 38 years ago to the day on January 13, 1987, Daryl Francis "Mac" McCarthy; step-son-in-law Charles Jaqua; parents, Edgar, Sr and Lucille (Arnold) Powell; siblings and their spouses, Audrey (Ronald) Miller, Ruby (Lester) Blair, Kenneth (Betty) Powell, Keith Powell, Jean (Herb) Schuiling, Don (June) Powell and Melvin (Ruth) Powell; siblings-in-law, Marvin Bennett, and Edgar, Jr's first wife Patricia Powell.
Marilyn expressed heartfelt appreciation for her neighbor Maggie and another favorite, her niece Jill, who often helped her out when needed in the past years.
A Memorial Service will be held June 6 at Bear Lake, where interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Bear Lake Township.