Marilyn (Foley) Fodor Stafford

Feb 1, 1927 - Dec 7, 2024

Marilyn was born in Dowagiac, Michigan, to the late Thea and Denis Foley. Marilyn absolutely embraced life to the fullest from the time she was young, and throughout her entire life. As a young girl, she had to appeal to her teacher to attend kindergarten full day, which she did. She graduated a year early from Dowagiac High School. Marilyn then went on to college at Michigan State and later in life received her Masters at Ball State University. She travelled Europe with a friend after she received her undergraduate degree. This was a gift from her father who pushed her to pursue her dreams. She carved a path for women without ever being aware of the influence she would have on so many. Marilyn was one of the first female writers for The Dowagiac Daily News, and while in Europe, wrote stories of her travels for the paper. Marilyn was first a journalist and then went on to teaching. She married William Fodor and was married nearly 40 years.

Known as "Mrs. Fodor", Marilyn taught at Washington High School for over 25 years. She had a passion for teaching and impacted her students in more ways than just education, helping them carve paths toward their goals and careers and mostly teaching them to have confidence and live up to their fullest potential. Many a student would stop by her home for years to come to thank her for her inspiration.

After her husband Bill passed, she remarried 3 years later to Burton Stafford, once her high school sweetheart.

Still loving life, she continued to make new friends and adventures. She continued to live fully in every aspect as she moved through the stages of life, always finding a way to be positive, and find the best in everyone. Marilyn was incredibly kind, honest, and fair. She treated everyone as equals, from her children to complete strangers, always having an open door to her heart and her home. She was always fun and silly and even as she grew older was most often the life of any get together. Marilyn will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her kindness and gratefulness, her openness, acceptance, and genuine love for all. Marilyn never stopped saying thank you to all the people who helped and supported her in these last few years, even when she had very little voice. She will be remembered and loved and will carry on in the lives of her family members, friends, and caretakers.

Marilyn is survived by three daughters, Lynn Eck of South Bend, Indiana, Carol (Michael) Gutesha of Littleton, Colorado and Mary Beth Uretz of Homewood, Illinois, one son, Michael (Cindy) Fodor of Goshen, Indiana, eight grandchildren, Bryan Eck, Kathryn Timm, Michael Fodor, Christopher Fodor, Milan Gutesha, Alex Gutesha, Nichole Gutesha and William Uretz and eight great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by one son in law, Denis Eck and one sister, Patricia Eckert.

A visitation for Marilyn will be held on Thursday December 12, 2024 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend, IN from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024 at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 11:30 am with visitation for one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Source: FindAGrave.com

04/29/2025 EJS