Marion “Mim” Horton
On February 14, 2023, Marion “Mim” Horton went to heaven. Her final moments were much like her life; she was surrounded by family with peaceful guitar music playing softly, and like Marion’s personality, the sun was warm and shining brightly. The daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bernia) LaForest, Marion, who was affectionately known as “Mim,” was born in Onaway August 25, 1930, and passed peacefully on the day we celebrate love, Valentine’s Day. How fitting for someone whose life was so full of love.
Marion worked in food service at the United Auto Workers Education Center on Black Lake for more than 20 years and lived on the complex with her late husband for at least five of those years. She loved her co-workers and the beautiful natural setting of her workplace nestled among the trees on Black Lake. She was a nurturing mother, and an awesome grandmother.
With a life defined by love, Mim’s greatest love was for her children and grandchildren. She prayed for them every day and her face beamed with pride as she spoke of them. Her theme song, as chosen by her brood, was the “Royal Telephone,” as she seemed to have a love affair with her phone. She called her kids at least seven or eight times a day, and if she couldn’t reach them, would get in her car to go find them. So, it wasn’t really that Mim loved her phone, it was that she loved her kids immensely, always needing to know where they were and what they were doing. She loved spending time with them, family dinners, casino trips, and traveling with them. She loved and admired her favorite son-in-law, Jack. The two of them together! Bailey’s! Their relationship was special, and they adored each other.
There wasn’t anything dearer to Mim’s heart than her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was brimming with excitement to meet her first granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Totally smitten, Mim cried the first time she cradled Sarah in her arms. Tragically, Sarah passed away in an accident in 1984, completely shattering Mim. In her sorrow, she began to paint. Painting occupied her mind, bringing her peace and comfort during her time of grief. She painted lovely scenes with vibrant colors and majestic trees. Some of her pieces adorn the walls of Lynn Street Manor where Mim lived for several years.
Mim loved her friends dearly. She enjoyed dinners and campfires with Warren and Helen, Lou and Donna, and sister and brother-in-law, Dot and Howard. Dot and Marion were the best of friends, always together, having fun and laughing. Mim welcomed anyone who wanted to stop by for a visit. If the timing was right, a visit to Mim’s would include a slice of her delicious homemade bread warm from the oven and there was nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of her awesome chili on a frigid day. In the fall, Mim could be found in her kitchen, canning tomatoes and peaches.
Mim loved music, singing and dancing. A woman of many talents she played the harmonica, piano and dulcimer. She crocheted many blankets for her family, was a skilled carver, and with her artistic hand, created splendid paintings. A thoughtful writer, Mim wrote in her journal nearly every day. Through the years she filled thousands of pages with writings of her adventures, her thoughts, dreams, and reflections. Oh, how Mim enjoyed the casino! A spin on the wheel would make her so excited. She loved the atmosphere with all the lights and sounds, but even more she loved the people. A regular at Odawa Casino, she was well-known to the staff and with her outgoing personality and friendly smile she made many friends there.
Mim lived life to the fullest and loved every minute. With her adventurous spirit, she loved going new places, meeting new people, and learning new things. She wanted to experience as much as she could and never missed an opportunity to do so. She loved to travel and enjoyed many trips. One of her most memorable was her visit to Italy with Jeannie, Jack, and some of her church family from St. Paul. Not only was the trip enjoyable, but it was also meaningful and very spiritual for Mim to visit places that were such a big part of her Catholic faith. She enjoyed her visit to London to spend time with her granddaughter who lived there and delighted in watching polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. Mim loved camping at Trout Lake and fishing trips to Hessel to catch fish off the pier with a little stop afterwards to the bar for a cold beverage. Dedicated to her Catholic faith, Mim loved Jesus immensely and prayed constantly. She practiced her faith every day, was devoted to praying the rosary, and shared little things about the Catholic faith with others, teaching them when understanding was needed. She loved her family at St. Paul where she was a parishioner her entire life.
Though she was small in stature, Marion Horton was anything but. The definition of a life well-lived, she will be remembered for being feisty with a wonderful sense of humor, for her endless energy, and for her “get up and go.” Those who knew her best will always remember that twinkle in her eye when she was being mischievous and her bright smile when she said hello. They will remember how she could easily strike up a conversation with anyone just like they were an old dear friend. Mim was a sweetheart, full of spunk, who loved her family, friends, community, church, and Jesus.
One of kind, she will be deeply missed by her daughters, Barbara Sova of Port Huron and Jeannie (Jack) Brewbaker of Black Lake; sons, Har
Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Mervyn Horton; former husband, Harry Waldie; a granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Waldie; sisters, Dottie Dunsmore and Corrine Waldie; and a brother, Joe LaForest.
Visitation was held at Chagnon Funeral Home Friday, February 17, until the time of the rosary service. Marion’s funeral Mass was at St. Paul Catholic Church Saturday, February 18. The Rev. Scott Lawler officiated. Interment will take place at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in the spring. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Marion to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to the Onaway Ambulance Equipment Fund.