Obituary of Marilyn Eleanor Caruso

August 20, 1931 – May 9, 2018

Marilyn Caruso, Age 86 of Southgate.

Beloved wife of the late Michael Caruso. Loving mother of Michelle (Ron) Ladd and Tom Caruso. Dearest grandmother of Jonathan Ladd, Kristen Kosa and Michelino Caruso.

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Marilyn Caruso was a loving wife, mother and grandmother but she was so much more.  Marilyn was born in Detroit on August 20^th, 1931 to Gordon and Irene Burke. She was the 5th of 6 children. As a child, she decided she wanted to be a nurse, but that was not in the cards for her.  At age 12, Marilyn was charged with helping to raise her kid sister, Kathleen- age 2.   Kathleen was her pride and joy. ​ 

She graduated from All Saints Academy K-12th grade and was even suspended for something she didn't do. Marilyn pursued night classes and worked for Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat doctors who worked on the likes of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Terry Sawchuk- in the Davis Whitney Building in Detroit.  Marilyn met Michael Caruso on a blind date set up by friends.  They married in 1954 when he got back from Korea.  Mike's mother always told her" if they ever got in a fight, she was more than welcomed to come to their house and he could just stay away!" in her broken English.

Their first child. Michelle was born in July of 1959 and her son, Tom was born in July of 1965. As a family, they spent many holidays trekking around the Detroit area marching parades as the kids were involved in baton twirling and playing instruments for a baton corp (core).

Marilyn was always trying to help others and had an open door policy- if you needed something and she had it, it was yours!  When Michelle was in high school, she opened her home at any time for anyone and was known as Mom C to Michelle's friends. It was the "Party House" in high school where she would always make spaghetti dinners even though she was Irish. She was also known as Grandma C to countless friends and relative’s kids as well.  

As Tom grew older, she was involved in his life with friends as well. Tom's friends also called her Mom C. Marilyn was so proud of his double major and graduating from the University of Michigan- Dearborn.  She gushed about him to everyone who would listen.

Marilyn was known for her craftiness- she could make anything out of scraps.  Some of the things I remember her making were center pieces for Tom's Cub Scout Banquet, a rocket ship made out of tin foil, paper towel roll, card board and construction paper, place mats for every holiday and helping out Mrs. Smith's classes at Fordline Elementary.  The craft projects she was known best for was her "Diaper Baby Cake" and her "Towel Wedding Cake".  She poured her heart & soul into them even working so hard that her fingers would bleed from pushing in all the straight pins!

Marilyn loved to help people whether driving them to an appointment, running an errand, shopping for them or just spending time with them.  She took care of any one she could. Many years ago, she adopted a family at Thanksgiving time and donated all the fixings for the Thanksgiving meal. She never wanted the person to know who did it and she gave out of the kindness of her heart.  When her partner in crime, Bertha who lived down the street needed anything she was there. Bertha was there for her as well. 

Marilyn was a devout Catholic who attended church and prayed the rosary whenever she could.  In her later years, when she could no longer get to church, she would watch it on TV. Even up until the day before her death she wanted to receive communion and receive the sacraments.

Marilyn lived her life by example and never wanted to be the center of attention.  She is no longer suffering or apologizing for asking for things or taking up your time.  I'm sure she's singing, dancing and having a party up there in heaven with all of her friends and family.