Obituary of Marilyn Sally McGuane

Lt Colonel Marilyn Sally McGuane, 88, a longtime resident of Lillian, AL passed away on Monday, August 5, 2024.  Marilyn was born in Chicago, IL. 

She graduated from the School of Nursing at Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital in 1956.  Marilyn remained close to her classmates for her entire life.  They took trips, had reunions, and kept in close contact. 

A few years after graduating from Nursing School, Marilyn moved from Chicago to Washington DC where she continued her career.  It was during this time, she enlisted in the USAF.  She became a flight nurse and served in Viet Nam during the war.  During her career with the Air Force, Marilyn had a long distinguished career and received many awards and metals.   She completed her bachelor’s degree, received a master’s degree and became a nurse practitioner.  She was stationed all over the world and she retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.  She was a member of the Society of Air Force Nurses and kept in close contact with many of the nurses she had worked with throughout the years.  They took trips all over the world and had reunions.

In retirement, Marilyn moved to Lillian, AL.  She jumped into retirement with the same fervor that she had both her nursing and military careers.  She took up golfing, bridge, knitting, exercise classes, genealogy, gardening, visited with family in the area, continued traveling, and made many friends in the Lillian area.  Even during retirement she utilized her medical experience by volunteering at the Pensacola Navy base and at a Homeless Clinic in Pensacola. 

Marilyn was a member of the Holy Trinity church in Pensacola and the Church of the Advent in Lillian.  She completed the Education for Ministry, was a Daughter of the King and volunteered at the Church of the Advent Thrift shop in Lillian.   

During a bridge game she met Robert Schwartz (deceased) who would become her husband.  They took trips and socialized with many of their friends.  It was during this time that she took on one of her most cherished roles.  That of grandmother to Nathan, Greg, and Amanda Schwartz. 

Marilyn is proceeded in death by her parents, Ruth and Joseph McGuane, her sisters Joyce Chase and Barbara (Dale) Morsette, and her husband Robert Schwartz.  She is survived by Nieces and Nephew:  Suzanne Chase (Bill), Michael Chase (Hana), Carol Chase (Stephen), a Stepson Stuart Schwartz (Dawn), a Stepdaughter Susan Reeves (Kevin) and three step grandchildren: Nathan Schwartz (Brittany), Greg Schwartz (Natalie), and Amanda Schwartz. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 10:30 am at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Lillian, AL. 

Marilyn will be interred at Barrancas National Cemetery, Columbarium E at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Lillian, AL.