Marilyn Joan Greene

Of Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2017 at her Delafield home. Marilyn was 81-years-old and died of complications from lymphoma. She had survived three earlier bouts with cancer over the past three decades and she remained joyful, gracious, and grateful even during her last health struggles. Marilyn was born in 1935 in Bayport, New York, was raised in West Sayville, New York, and was graduated from neighboring Sayville High School. It was in Sayville that she met Leonard Greene. The couple fell in love, were married, and made their life together. Leonard was a career Army officer and the couple and their four children often shared memories of their frequent moves and the many things they came to see and know and the many people with whom they shared such joyful times. The couple celebrated a second honeymoon in Paris during the time Leonard was assigned to duty in West Germany. There, Marilyn saw that her husband really did remember his college French, though it was, truthfully, just enough for taxi drivers to understand. Meals were a different story. At the hotel, Marilyn remembers being served entirely different food than what her husband claimed he had ordered! There were difficult times as well, of course. The children were just 4, 6, 8, and 10-years-old when Leonard was deployed to Viet Nam in 1965 for his first year-long combat assignment. Marilyn managed well this handful of active children, home repairs, financial affairs, shopping, doctor visits, PTA meetings, and everything else that goes with raising four young children. She was ever so grateful for the loving help from extended family and the lifelong support and friendship of the McDonnell family, her Sayville neighbors at this time. The Greene family returned to Sayville in 1968 when Leonard was again deployed to Viet Nam for another tour. The family then made Bloomington, Indiana their home. Here the family felt as though they had found the best of all worlds: Bloomington was home to many new friends and wonderful educational opportunities, and the family often made month-long summer visits back to Sayville. Bloomington was followed by time in Culver, Indiana, where Leonard and Marilyn made friends with kind people who have remained close to the family even today. Good fortune then bought Leonard and Marilyn to Wisconsin where they found rugged winters but so many people with warm hearts. Before she died, Marilyn expressed her faith in the Lord, her hope for salvation, and gratitude for a full life, loving children and other family, and dear, dear friends. Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Leonard, who passed away in 2008; her parents; and many aunts, uncles, and other family members. She is survived by her children Lenore Greene, Waukesha, WI; Deborah (Michael) Spicer, Pharm. D., Greenwood, SC; Terrence Greene, M.D., Bloomington, IN; and Kevin Greene, Delafield, WI; an aunt, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Father Michael Gray-Fow will preside over the prayer service and the subsequent committal of Marilyn's body next to the grave of her husband Leonard in Glenview Memorial Gardens cemetery in Ixonia, Wisconsin on January 11, 2017.