Obituary of Marilyn Jean Spinarski

We are here today to celebrate the beautiful life of our mother, grandmother and friend, Marilyn Jean Spinarski. Marilyn passed away on August 18th, 2024 in Lancaster California from complications of a stroke, she was 84. Marilyn was born July 28th 1940 to Fred and Belva Scott in Ada Minnesota. She lived her entire childhood in Ada on the family farm along with her two older siblings Jerry and Betty. After graduating high school Marilyn attended school in North Dakota where she studied home economics; she was very domestic and loved to cook and sew. It was here where she met Wallace “Wally” Spinarski, whom she married in 1960. Together they moved to Palmdale, California and started their family having 5 children; Susan, Scott, Karen, Cassandra and David. They moved to Lancaster in 1970 where they raised their family. Marilyn’s children were her pride and joy, she made time for each of them individually and made each feel like her favorite when doing so. Marilyn and Wally divorced in after 25 years. Marilyn went on to date, she first met a wonderful man, John “Morris” Lanier. They dated and lived together for several years until Morris lost his battle with cancer. She dated a couple of bad seeds in between before meeting Ishmael Higgins. Ish was a good man too, very good for Marilyn. Together Ish and Marilyn packed up and moved to Salyersville Kentucky, where they built a beautiful home together. Ish too would become sick with cancer which brought the two of them back to the Antelope Valley to be near family. She took care of Ish until he too lost his battle with cancer. These two horrible heartbreaks showed her strength and resiliency to keep going. After Ish’s passing Marilyn moved into the Mayflower Gardens community where she resided until her passing in August. She loved living in this community and especially loved the FAMILY of friends she made. Marilyn was a stay at home mom until 1976 when she went to work as an accounting clerk for the Antelope Valley Inn. She worked for the Inn until 1982. She then went to work for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. Later working at numerous restaurants, JE’s Firehouse, The Tipsy Bull, and the Casa Roma. She met many people along the way and made some lifelong friendships too. Marilyn also, loved being involved in the community, where she could volunteer and make a difference. She was a long time member of the Alpha Charter Guild. She was a member for 28 years at the VFW Post 3000 Auxiliary, she served as post chaplain numerous times. While in Kentucky she was a member of the Mcgoffin County Homemakers Extension, where she expanded her love of sewing and cooking while giving back to the community. She volunteered at the Mayflower Treasures thrift store,(where she could shop while working)!! She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Lancaster and right up until her death, she volunteered and served at the local soup kitchen. Marilyn will be deeply missed by all who knew her and especially by her children who survive her; Susan (John), Scott (Jody), Karen (Steve), Cassie, & David. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and many wonderful friends. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jeremy(Jerry) Scott, sister Elizabeth(Betty) Olson, longtime partners Morris and Ish and her Ex Wally.