July 17, 1936 - May 19, 2025
Marilyn Jane Murphey Beach, 88, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 17, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, to Truman and Agatha Murphey.
She lived a life filled with love, grace, and quiet strength, touching everyone she met with her warmth and wisdom. Marilyn was deeply devoted to her family and her faith. She had a gentle way of making people feel at home-whether it was through her warm smile, her kind words, or her steady presence. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and confidante. Her wisdom, faith, and unwavering support left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Marilyn spent over 40 years as a dedicated fourth grade teacher, shaping young minds with patience, creativity, and a genuine love for learning. She had a remarkable gift for making every student feel seen, valued, and capable. For many, she wasn't just a teacher-she was the teacher, the one they would always remember as their favorite. Her classroom was a place of encouragement, laughter, and belonging, and the lives she touched through her teaching are too many to count.
She was the anchor of her family-bringing people together across generations, creating a sense of home wherever she was, and keeping traditions alive with love and intention. One of those traditions was the singing of the hymn Blessed Be the Tie That Binds before family meals - a song Marilyn taught her children and grandchildren as a picture of Christ's love holding the family together. That same love now binds her to Heaven, where she is experiencing the fullness of His presence forever.
Her life was marked by countless small acts of kindness and service. She gave freely of her time and heart, always putting others before herself and finding joy in making life better for those around her.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Truman and Agatha Murphey; her daughter, Jane; and her brother, Dan. She is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, Robert Beach; her daughter, Susan, and son-in-law Randall; son-in-law John; son Robert and daughter-in-law Lisa; and son Dan; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren-including one on the way.
Marilyn was deeply loved - and she loved deeply in return. Her legacy of kindness, grace, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Sign Guestbook
1 Condolence(s)
Sue Roach Eyrsch
Friday, May 23, 2025
Marilyn was my beloved friend. It was such a joy to do my student teaching with her. I was a stay-at-home mom and began teaching when my youngest son started college. After 3 1/2 years at Sherwood, I transferred to Wilder. There I taught 4th grade also. She always said we couldn't live in the same room but across the hall where we spent many years. There were so many memories that will forever be in my heart. One of my students didn't want to do his work. So Marilyn and I decided to have a hall chat. We told him we were sending him to Saturday School thinking this would quickly turn him around. However, he asked if he only had to do makeup work or would there be more. We certainly didn't intend to do Saturday teaching so that plan quickly vanished. We would have just about done anything to help that young man. May the Lord bless the family and keep them.