Marlis Fasterding Mann

Marlis Fasterding Mann of Leland and Suttons Bay passed away peacefully at home with family at her side on November 16. Marlis was born in Braunschweig, Germany in 1934. A survivor of the second world war, Marlis studied French at the Sorbonne in Paris and at the University of Lyon. She was a pioneer stewardess for Flugdienst, Condor and Lufthansa, In 1958 she married David Mann and moved to Chicago where they raised two children, daughter Kit, son Tom. When David retired in 1988, the couple moved to Leland and built their dream home atop what they called “The Magic Mountain” – a reference to the classic novel by the noted German writer, Thomas Mann. In Leland, Marlis became an energetic and creative volunteer. Always thinking of what she might do for others, Marlis volunteered as the Youth Exchange Officer of the Suttons Bay and Leland Rotary Club. In 1996 she became the first woman President of the club. It was then that Marlis became an American Citizen. Year after year she continued her leadership involvement in the Rotary Student Exchange Program, interviewing students and attending numerous Rotary International conventions around the world. She went on to serve on the board of the Glen Arbor Arts Association, Vice Chairman of the Leelanau Share Care board and for 12 years was an enthusiastic member of the board and major contributor to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. David and Marlis were instrumental in the selection Kevin Rhodes as the Music Director of the TSO. In 2009, five years after David passed away, Marlis married Tom Skinner of Suttons Bay to continue the vital community centered life both had embraced in their previous marriages. In more recent years Marlis joined the board of the Leland Community Center and was active in the expansion of the organization. As did Marlis and David, Marlis and Tom traveled the world seeking new adventures up to the time of her recent illness. Marlis was preceded in death by her first husband David Mann and her sister Inge Huhn. She is survived by her husband Thomas Skinner, her son Thomas Browning Mann, her daughter Kit Hoyerman, her granddaughters Lauren Hoyerman, Madison Mann, and Emersen Mann as well as her son-in-law Bill Hoyerman and her daughter-in-law Kara Mann. A private burial in Leland’s Beechwood Cemetery and a celebration of Marlis’ extraordinary life is planned for the summer of 2023. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to The Traverse Symphony Orchestra, the Leland Community Center or the Leelanau Conservancy.

Marlis Fasterding Mann

April 8, 1934 - November 17, 2022