Edith E. Marshall

Edith was born on November 24, 1933, in Iron River Michigan, to Hanna and Matt Maki. They lived on the family fox farm near her beloved Aunt Lydia, who she’d later return to spend summers with while being raised in Chicago.

On April 14,1952, Edith married Mel Marshall after knowing each other only 13 days, but it was meant to be as they remained married for 62 years. They lived mostly in Hancock, MI until Mel’s death in 2014, at which time Edith moved to Bay City, MI, where she resided until her death. Edith and Mel enjoyed traveling and spent many years traveling both the U.S. and Europe during Mel’s military career.

She exhibited a strong interest and talent for art from an early age. Starting with oil painting and then later transitioning into experimental mixed media, art was a lifelong passion for Edith. She was an award-winning, published artist and has artwork in several commercial settings such as Central Michigan University and D&N Bank.

Edith loved working in her studio, watching old movies, going to lunch with friends, and spending time with her family.

Left missing her are her daughter Debra (James) Kilmer, granddaughters Deborah (Jon Payne) Marshall and Liisa (Jeremy) Erskine, grandsons Andrew Gasparovich and Matthew Gasparovich, adored great-granddaughter Emerson Erskine, niece Elvi Bjorkquist, and many cousins, both in the U.S. and Finland.

In addition to her parents and siblings Eino Maki, Wilho Maki, and Helen Bjorkquist, she is preceded in death by her husband Mel, son Marvin, daughter Pam Gasparovich, granddaughter Kelly Kilmer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Rivertown Funeral Chapel, Kawkawlin, MI with Liisa Erskine presiding. The family will greet friends and family from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.