Marion Colby Franzblau

Our world, and the world of so many others, will never be the same. Colby: wife, mother, grand-mother, friend, musician, teacher, is gone.

Colby McNamara Franzblau, age 69, of Grand Rapids passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Faith Hospice of Trillium Woods. Colby was born on April 14, 1950 to Claude S. and Marion Markey Rogers. After attending Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, she went on to receive a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. from Calvin Theological Seminary.

Colby was God’s faithful servant, and lived a life of service as a result. From her time with Right to Life of Michigan, to the construction of the renowned Bailey School playground, to her tireless work on behalf of the mentally ill, she gave endlessly of herself, and asked nothing in return. The opportunities she sought were for others first.

Her family gave her great joy. She is preceded in death by her late first husband Joseph S. McNamara, and is survived by her husband, David Franzblau; four sons, Paul (Liz), Kevin, John, and James (Marisa); her granddaughter, Harriet McNamara; Her siblings, Mark Rogers, David (Patti) Rogers, John Rogers, and Claudia (Ralph) Ludovici.

Endlessly active, her friends and family remember her joyfully hiking, cycling, swimming and boating in Lake Baw Beese; peerlessly teaching of tai chi + yoga; and playing vigorous bridge (major suits only). Music, though, is how most will remember Colby. A professional violinist, she was a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Adrian Symphony, Opera Lenawee and most recently the Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir. 

For those who wish, memorials in Colby’s honor may be made to: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, 300E. Crystal Lake Rd. Twin Lake, MI 49457.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6-8pm on Friday, October 25th at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2345 Robinson Rd. SE, and at a celebration of her life on the morning of Saturday, October 26th at 11 a.m.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marion Colby Franzblau, please visit our floral store.