Marilyn Bailey Bura

Marilyn Bailey Bura, of Traverse City, Michigan, died July 14, 2026. She was born in Detroit to Carl Clark and Clara (Midjaas) Bailey. Marilyn graduated from Mackenzie High School in Detroit.

She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and speech pathology from the University of Michigan. She later earned a Master of Arts from Wayne State University in early childhood, with a special focus on children with physical disabilities.

Marilyn was a dedicated teacher and speech pathologist who loved her work, students, families and co-workers. She taught at schools in Dearborn, MI and Seattle, WA, as well as with Easter Seals, the Oakland County Society for Crippled Children, and finished her career with the Waterford School District.

Marilyn married Bogdan (Bob) Bura on Nov. 26, 1976, in Birmingham, Michigan. Marilyn and Bob enjoyed traveling the world together, including China, France, Israel, Norway, Russia and many trips to Scotland. They also participated in mission trips to Alaska and New Mexico.

Marilyn was an active member of the Presbyterian church in both Birmingham and Traverse City, also serving as a Stephen Minister in Traverse City. She was also very involved in P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Chapter EH, a Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae group, a newcomers group and an AAUW book club.

She was a wonderful hostess and loved spending time with family and her many good friends. Marilyn enjoyed cooking, reading, quilting, playing bridge, walking, water aerobics, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and singing in the Birmingham church and Cordia choirs.

She is survived by her husband, Bogdan Bura; children, Karen (Reid) Zielinski (Tom), Robert Reid (Cheryl), Carol (Bura) Al-Nsour (Mahmoud), Elizabeth (Bura) Drumm (Mel); grandchildren, Kristen Reid-Boldridge (Cliff), Erik Reid (Kate Matt), Katie Zielinski, Abby (Zielinski) Spentzouris (Alex), Faris Al-Nsour (Salma), Adam Al-Nsour, Iman Al-Nsour, Amy Drumm; great-grandchild, Kyce Al-Nsour; and sister-in-law Joan Bailey and family.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her daughter Kathryn J. Reid, her brother Dr. William C. Bailey and her parents, Clara M. and Dr. Carl C. Bailey.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026 at the Traverse City Presbyterian Church, 701 Westminster Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686.

Some suggestions for memorial contributions:

Hospice of Michigan in Traverse City,

Omena Presbyterian Church in Omena, MI,

P.E.O Executive Office, Treasurer’s Dept, 3700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

(checks payable to the P.E.O. Foundation, Memo- Chapter EH Scholarship)

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