ForeverMissed
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Funeral tentatively scheduled at Temple of Aaron. St Paul Mn. Thursday 2pm.

Marilyn Joy Kossof Greenberg finally surrendered this week after a stalwart battle against lung cancer, bringing to an end a long life beautifully lived. We were gifted eight and half years since she was first diagnosed and every day was a pure joy.  Along the way, the 79-year-old trailed happiness and love as a magnificent human, wife, friend, super mom, baker, makeup maestro, candy fiend, Chanel connoisseur, and shining positivity ambassador to all she encountered. As she took her last breath, a smile of contentment was on her gorgeous face. Surrounded by her family, she was at peace with herself and the world. 

Marilyn is survived by Dean Greenberg, her loving husband of 57 years, and her children, Dana, Anthony, Drew and his wife Becky, and Brett. Butchie - her nickname, was a vigorous, bright-eyed, vivacious human with an abiding interest in Jewish causes such as Temple of Aaron Synagogue and Sholom Home. She was always a great friend and confidant with her four children, teaching them the ways of family, life and Judaism. 

Marilyn also led an active life beyond her family, traveling the world, skiing, biking, and lifting weights. Above all, she was a marvelous cook, her legendary meals a magnet bringing together the family for the holidays, year after year. Though originally from Minnesota, she also spent many years with Dean at their home in Aspen, Colo., honing her skills on the hills, having parties and enjoying time with family and many devoted friends in the tight-knit mountain community. Selfless and not much of one for the spotlight, Marilyn freely gave of herself to everyone, always asking after the people she met and their families.

Marilyn was born on Feb 7, 1940 to Alfred & Jean Kossof in Nordeast Minneapolis, Minn. She had one sister, Lori Bodin, who also recently passed. Marilyn grew up in the Minneapolis. After graduating University of Minnesota she became a professional make-up artist. In 1961, she married Dean, the first and only love of her life. The couple made their home in Highland Park, Minn., splitting their time in Aspen.

Additional survivors include grandchildren Rachel and Zachary Greenberg, treasured brother-in-law Steven Greenberg and his partner Linda Heinrich,  sister-in-law and friend Ellen Joy Fields and her partner Herb Morse, and nephews  and nieces Jaime, Susan, John and Cathy. 

A memorial service will be held Thursday 2pm at Temple of Aaron St. Paul. Honored pallbearers will be Susan Rappaport, Andrea Young, Mara Lawrence, Darlynn Fellman, Shelley Reichart, Abby Miller and Ruth Ronick.  The family will sit shiva at 7pm from at Temple or Aaron.  The family requests that donations in Marilyn’s beloved memory be made to Sholom East, Temple of Aaron, or a favorite charity.

Temple of Aaron: https://templeofaaron.org/membership/giving/give-now/

Shalom Home East: https://giving.sholom.com/sslpage.aspx?pid=388 (Under Fund or Family name enter: Dean & Marilyn Greenberg Family Fund) or send check to: Sholom Home, Donations Coordinator, 3610 Phillips Pkwy, St. Louis Park, MN 55426


Tributes

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Linda Trotter
April 2, 2019
April 2, 2019
We are so very sorry to hear of Marilyn’s passing. What a wonderful person. We have many fond memories of her from Aspen. Prayers for healing to Dean and the entire family.
Linda & Jimmy Trotter
Glenda Ganem
April 1, 2019
April 1, 2019
Sending you our thoughts of love and peace and may your mother's memory always be a blessing to all who mourn.
Stan Heller
April 1, 2019
April 1, 2019
Dear Dean and family. I am very sad to hear of Marilyn's passing. Her wonderful smile and positive energy always filled the space she occupied. I know she will be missed by all who had the blessings of her friendship.
Tony Greenberg
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2019
DETAILS: Friends & Family
We are so honored to have you share final moments with us for Marilyn's funeral on Thursday.
Our flexible schedule is currently:
2- 3pm Temple of Aaron St Paul 616 Mississippi River Blvd, St Paul, MN 55116
3pm Procession will take approximately 45 minutes to Lakewood cemetery. We have a family bus that fits up to 20 people and an additional bus for people without cars following, which will return to the Temple of Aaron directly following the burial.
We return for Shiva at Temple of Aaron around 7. It's lovely to walk on the River Road nearby if you are looking for something to do between. Grand Avenue and Summit Hill are a wonderful place to stroll and see nearly.
Hotels are best found on Hotel Tonight for decent deals which can be reserved and bought today for the days you are in town. Most people are staying in Minneapolis. The Twin Cities have a vital dining scene and wonderful museums such as the Walker Art Museum, Uptown for the hipster life, walking on the lakes is a favorite for all visitors. Dress WARM as the weather may be as low as the 40’s to 60’s in the day.
Holly Michael
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2019
Jere and I were so sad to hear of Marilyn's passing, she was a great lady and we offer our deepest sympathy to Dean and his family.
Holly and Jere Michael
Jon Zats
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2019
To Drew,Tony & Dana,
So sorry for your loss. Even though I did not know her, your legacy proves she was a great mother who raised wonderful people. She will live on though your conscious thoughts and good deeds. I wish you and your family well in this difficult time.
Charlie Tarver
March 30, 2019
March 30, 2019
kind. 
Marilyn always was, and in my world always will be . thank you for making the world a better place.
love
Diana Greenberg
March 30, 2019
March 30, 2019
Dear Dean, Tony, Dana, Drew, and Brett , I will forever have wonderful memories of the effervescent Marilyn. She always made me feel welcome and loved in the Greenberg family and I will miss her terribly. However, she will always live in my mind as one of the most unique women I've ever known. I'm so sorry for your loss and may she rest in peace! Love, Diana Greenberg
William Mason
March 30, 2019
March 30, 2019
So sorry to hear. I have lots of great memories of Marilyn. She was a stylish lady. She had a great aesthetic. A sophisticated knowledge of art, interior design... epicurian with a fun side (She introduced me to pomegranate, halva, sour cherry on whole wheat..) These among many aspects of her spirit are immortal and live on in us... So many other wonderful things and places. My love and condolences. I will miss her, she had a lot of moxie. Peace on you.
Wm

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Recent Tributes
Linda Trotter
April 2, 2019
April 2, 2019
We are so very sorry to hear of Marilyn’s passing. What a wonderful person. We have many fond memories of her from Aspen. Prayers for healing to Dean and the entire family.
Linda & Jimmy Trotter
Glenda Ganem
April 1, 2019
April 1, 2019
Sending you our thoughts of love and peace and may your mother's memory always be a blessing to all who mourn.
Stan Heller
April 1, 2019
April 1, 2019
Dear Dean and family. I am very sad to hear of Marilyn's passing. Her wonderful smile and positive energy always filled the space she occupied. I know she will be missed by all who had the blessings of her friendship.
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Her Life

Forever in our hearts

March 29, 2021
by Brett Greenberg
Our biblical Miriam is a strong woman. A leader. A fighter. Someone we always try to understand better and relate to. As Tikva Frymer-Kensky wrote “Miriam led the women of Israel.” When speaking with the Greenberg family, I thought of Marilyn’s Hebrew name, Miriam. Marilyn, too, was someone people related to. She was a fighter. She cared deeply about the communities around her.Born in North Minneapolis, Marilyn graduated from North High School and the University of Minnesota. She was very close with her parents, Alfred and Jean of blessed memory. Both of her parents worked in a jewelry store after the immigrated from Europe. Because of this Marilyn, as Dean so warmly shared, she thought she knew Yiddish. She was close to her sister Lorraine, also of blessedmemory, and would visit her in New York once a year. They talked for hours on the phone.When Dean returned from the Navy he enrolled at the U and met for the second time his beloved Marilyn. The two had known each other from their USY mixer days. They got married at the Temple of Aaron in 1961. Very soon after followed four children in six years. She was a terrific mother and homemaker. A 
phenomenal cook, as Brett told me. After Leonora pass away, who she was very close with, she became the true glue to the family. Doing all the holiday meals. What she excelled at was being a great friend, especially taking the lead on so many of the Shiva meals. Dean said, she just jumped right in and handled everything. She loved her Judaism and was heavily involved with the Temple of Aaron and Hadassah.Marilyn had many hobbies, skills, and interests. She loved dancing as Tony mentioned. She prided herself on it. She loved Broadway musicals, going twice a year with Ellen Joy to fit in as many shows as possible. She started doing Judo at a young age and developed the nickname “Butchie” because as the story goes, she could beat up anyone. Drew recalled how important it was to her that she volunteered at the Aspen Valley Hospital. She worked in cosmetics for a while as a make-up artist. And every dollar she earned she gave to her children. She wanted them to know it was from her. She was selfless that way. And she loved her children; Dana, Tony, Drew and Brett. They were the loves of her life. She took two Chicago trips with Tony to go shopping. She was an excellent grandmother too, the type that got on the floor and played with the children. Brett shared that she always added “I have had the most beautiful life.” 
When Marilyn got ill, she denied it. She wanted to be strong. She cared about how others were doing, more than herself. People only spoke highly of her. And these traits manifested through two relationships. First the one she had with her caretakers, a group of incredible women in Aspen, Minnesota and elsewhere, who stood by Marilyn. A group affectionately and with endearment called her “Homies.” They were more than care takers, more than friends, they were a spiritual connection for Marilyn. The second way she stayed strong was through her relationship with her husband, Dean. Dean and I have spoken about how much he loved and cherished his wife and how much that love was reciprocated. They loved each other. They were a unit, a team, and bond. They traveled together. To Israel twice. And over 15 bike rides all over the world. They were truly in love, a love that has lasted a lifetime.Marilyn was refined woman. Loved her Diet Coke. She was well read. A good skier. The funny one of the group and natural at it, no need for drinking. She loved babies, absolutely adored them that they were like magnets to her. And like our biblical Miriam, she led by example. Exuding kindness, strength, and a loveable personality. To the family, I would like to leave you with blessings from Marilyn’s life. Dana, may your mother’s love be an example for you to love each member of your family. Tony, may you remember your mother as unique and one 
of a kind, and ensure that the example she set for you resonates through your being. Drew, ensure the family values your mother instilled in you continue for generations. Brett, may mom’s ability to feel lucky allow you to carry on her optimism about life and your surroundings. And Dean, may your lifetime of marriage serve as more than memories, but as meaning that you provided each other. And may wherever you go and whoever you meet, may they know that your other half was essential in making your life meaningful.May Marilyn’s memory forever be for a blessing. 
Rabbi Jeramy FineApril 4, 2019
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