Marilyn (Farris) Watt

Marilyn (Farris) Watt

May 3, 1936 - July 18, 2025

Marilyn (Farris) Watt, born on May 3, 1936, to John and Leona Farris in Lewiston, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025. She was 89 years old.

At the age of five, Marilyn moved with her family to Detroit, Michigan, where she was raised alongside her siblings as the third of five children. A proud graduate of Mackenzie High School’s Class of 1954, Marilyn married her first love, Richard Harold June, on September 3, 1955. Together, they built a life in Garden City, Michigan, raising two sons, Paul Richard (Sherry) June and Carlton Patrick (Lori Arcuragi) June.

After losing her husband Richard in 1974, Marilyn displayed her remarkable strength, resilience, and determination by returning to school to become a nurse—a career she loved and dedicated herself to from 1977 onward. She worked at St. Mary’s, U of M, and Oakwood Hospital, caring for countless patients over the years.

Marilyn remarried on August 13, 1977, to Robert Lee Watt. In 1989, they made their home together in Pinckney, Michigan, where she continued living a life marked by love, laughter, and family.

Marilyn’s faith in God was a cornerstone of her life. For many years she was a devoted member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Westland, Michigan where she taught Sunday school and later a devoted member to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Michigan where she deepened her faith and formed lifelong friendships through her church community.

Known for her loud, contagious laugh that could light up an entire room, Marilyn brought joy wherever she went. Friends and family often said the punchline never mattered—it was Marilyn’s laughter itself that made everyone else laugh.

She also poured her heart into crocheting, knitting and sewing, creating countless hats, mittens, scarves, and quilts—especially for her cherished grandchildren: Alisha (June) Joseph Masson, Holly (June) Andrew Rice, Rachael (June) Trevor Melvin, Tracy (June) Zak Hakim, Alexis June, and Lily June. Each stitch carried her love. Some of her happiest moments were spent hosting sleepovers for her granddaughters when they were young—nights filled with laughter, stories, and the simple joy of being together and mornings always followed with a big family breakfast at Big Boy. 

Marilyn is survived by her sister, Dolores (Daniel) Podnar, her son Paul (Sherry) June, six granddaughters and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Leona Farris; her brothers Kenneth Farris, Charles (Harriet) Farris, and David (Eileen) Farris; her husband Richard Harold June; her second husband Robert Lee Watt; and most recently, her beloved son Carlton Patrick June, who passed away suddenly on July 10, 2025, at the age of 54.

Marilyn will be remembered for her strength, her giving heart, and the laughter she left behind in every memory.

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