MARRON
Evelyn Marron passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the age of 92.
Evelyn Marron passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the age of 92. She was known and loved for her kindness, generosity, caring, intelligence, quick wit, and artistry. Many family friends considered her as their second mom. Evie was born on June 8, 1932, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to William Henry Darby II and Mary Evelyn Wallace. After their divorce in 1939, she lived with her aunt and uncle, June and Jack Frost, frequently visiting both her parents. Evie grew up with a love for music, humor and liberal politics from her dad; a love for art, horses, and adventure from her mom; and a love for public service, science and photography from Jack and June. Evie got her BS at Michigan State University, where she met Jim Marron, who charmed her with his free spirit and sense of humor. Evie and Jim married in 1953, and their honeymoon was a driving tour of quaint small-town museums and Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Together they designed their dream house in Wright’s style, bought land in Lowell Township, and gradually built their home.
Evie worked as a job counselor for MESC in Ionia County for many years, while working toward a master’s degree in that field. She loved helping people find jobs that suited them. When she realized that many clients were new releases from the Ionia prisons, she persuaded the prisons to let her give job-finding classes to soon-to-be released inmates, urging them to call her as soon as they got out for job help. When asked if murderers were toughest to place, she replied no, embezzlers were. Evie volunteered for the Ionia County Literacy Council, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Kent County 4-H teaching art, Grand Rapids Civic Theater mostly in the costume shop, Lowell Area Arts Council, Red Cross instructor, League of Women Voters, many other groups, and many Democratic candidates, Evie’s longest volunteer service was to the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association. She and Jim joined in 1960, and continued their activity until they died, often as board members and officers. When GRAAA was looking for a place to build an observatory, they volunteered part of their property, where the James C. Veen Observatory was built by club members and continues to thrive.
Evie was especially proud of the work she did in developing a model Dark Sky ordinance, and speaking to state and local governments about adopting the model. Evie is survived by her son Mike, daughter Aubrey and granddaughter Marilyn (Josh), her brother Bill (Sandy) and sister Sally and numerous family and friends. Special thanks to GM Ross for all he did to help Evie over the years. The celebration of Evie’s life was held on her birthday, Sunday June 8, at the Veen Observatory, 3308 Kissing Rock Ave, Lowell MI, from 1 to 4 p.m.
