Renaissance Senior Living of Vero Beach resident Marilyn Stern has many talents. She can create a beautiful watercolor, win a game of pool and make an entire room brighter with her big laugh. Yet the quality people seem to remember most is her kind heart. With her sense of humor and natural warmth, Marilyn has spent a lifetime bringing joy to the people around her.



Marilyn grew up in Michigan with her brother, Michael, and sister, Jane. It’s where she would later raise her own children and build a life centered on family, creativity and connection. She loved Michigan’s natural beauty and enjoyed taking walks whenever she could. She was also drawn to live music and listened as often as possible. Whether she was outside enjoying nature or surrounded by music, Marilyn appreciated experiences that brought people together and added beauty to everyday life.

Marilyn attended Michigan State University. From 1974 to 1976, she worked as a model, including at the Detroit Auto Show and in print advertisements. She also worked at MARS, the advertising agency owned by her father. The agency’s creative setting was a natural place for someone with Marilyn’s artistic interests. She later began a career in education, one that would allow her kindness, humor and ability to connect with others to shine.

For more than 25 years, Marilyn taught elementary school at the same school in West Bloomfield, Michigan, touching the lives of hundreds of children along the way. Year after year, she was recognized as one of her students’ favorite teachers. It is easy to understand why. Marilyn’s big personality, ready laugh and caring nature helped her form meaningful connections with the children in her classroom. Teaching young students requires patience, energy and compassion, and Marilyn brought those qualities to her work for more than two decades.

Being remembered as a favorite teacher is a special distinction. It means that long after students forget a particular lesson or assignment, they remember how their teacher made them feel. Marilyn gave generations of children a classroom filled with encouragement and care, creating memories that likely stayed with them long after the school year ended.

Outside the classroom, Marilyn expressed herself through watercolor painting. She loved spending her free time creating art and produced many pieces over the years. Today, several of her favorite paintings are displayed in her residence at Renaissance. The collection adds color and personality to her home while offering a glimpse of the creativity that has always been part of her.

Family now holds the most important place in Marilyn’s heart. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Jacquie and Katy, and the loving grandmother of three young grandchildren: Ragan, 8, Parker, 7 and Sloane, 5. With her grandchildren at such fun and active ages, Marilyn’s priority is spending as much time with her family as she can. Those moments mean more to her than anything else.

When she is not with her family, Marilyn stays active and engaged at Renaissance. She continues to enjoy walking, an interest that connects her current life with the walks she enjoyed in Michigan. Her love of music remains strong too. She can often be found dancing to Tom’s music, letting the rhythm move her and sharing her joyful spirit with everyone nearby.

Marilyn is also a talented pool player. When she steps up to the table, those around her get to see another side of her personality: focused, skillful and ready to have some fun. Her ability at the pool table has become another way she connects with others and brings lively energy to the community.

From her years in Michigan to her time at Michigan State University, from modeling at the Detroit Auto Show and appearing in print advertisements to her work at MARS, Marilyn’s story has followed more than one creative path. She spent over 25 years teaching at the same school in West Bloomfield, raised two daughters and welcomed three grandchildren. Today, she continues to share the humor, laughter and kindness that have made her so loved throughout every chapter of her life.