Marilyn Plamondon

Marilyn J. Plamondon died on June 12, 2026 at the age of 90 at Munson Hospital in Traverse City with her daughter by her side and exceptional care from the Munson staff. She will be remembered as nurturing, caring, loyal, forgiving, gentle and fun, and when needed, courageous and fierce.

Marilyn was born in Lake Leelanau on November 11, 1935 to Ovilla Plamondon and Mamie (Martineau) Plamondon. She loved her family and shared about them and her upbringing through stories. Her favorite was the mid-winter night when her uncle, unannounced, knocked on the family door in a fur hat and coat pretending to be a bear. Another was about how at age eight she brought home Pal, her first dog, with support from her older brother but not necessarily prior parental permission.

After graduating from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Lake Leelanau and studying at Marywood Academy, she worked as a switchboard operator for AT&T in Grand Rapids. With marriage, Marilyn dedicated her life to her husband and two children. She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Francis Church who appreciated religious music and the Latin Mass and cherished stories about the Jesuits and Mary, the Mother of God.

During her life, Marilyn found adventures big and small. In her 20s, she drove cross-country to San Francisco in her yellow 1965 Mustang and relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida for a stretch, until encouraged by the tarantula in her apartment to move back. With her kids, she canoed, spent sandy days at local beaches, and played backyard croquet with gusto.

Marilyn was proud of her French heritage and handyman skills. She instilled the love of dogs and caretaking in her children with Sherie, Benji, Sheba, Holly, Pepper, Misty, Sugar, Sandy, and Jet. She taught her grandchildren to play classic card games, and they introduced her to Bananagrams. Mom’s home was welcoming to all, and friends and acquaintances could confide in her and ask for advice and help.

Marilyn’s spirits were buoyant to the end, acknowledging her family in her last week with her trademark finger wave and twinkle of the eye when she could no longer speak. She is survived by her sister Helen Raymond, daughter Susan Schmuckal, son Tim Schmuckal and grandchildren Mason and Julian. She was predeceased by her siblings Richard, Rose Lee, Dorothy, James, Cletus and Thomas Plamondon and Jeanne Curran.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Saint Francis Church in Traverse City on Wednesday, June 24 for Marilyn’s visitation at 10 to 11am, funeral service at 11am, and luncheon at the parish hall after the service. A private burial service will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Leelanau.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Marilyn’s honor to the Women’s Resource Center, 720 S. Elmwood Avenue, Suite 2, Traverse City, MI, 49684

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