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Marianne Friederike (Buchholz) Lubkin
Born: 5/5/1925
Died: 12/5/2024
Age: 99
Community: Funeral service will take place at her home,
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Marianne Friederike (Buchholz) Lubkin
Local author and Holocaust Survivor Passes Away
Marianne was an unforgettable person who had a tremendous impact on many people's lives. She curated people everywhere she lived, adored the countries' people, and immersed herself in their cultures. She lived in six different countries: Germany, England, Holland, India, Indonesia, and the US. She finished her careers as the owner/operator of Indo-China Imports, allowing her to return to India and Indonesia 8 times.
Marianne Friederike (Buchholz) Lubkin, recently of Owosso, was born May 5th 1925 in Hamburg, Germany, to Walter Georg and Dora (Silverberg) Buchholz. She passed away in her home with Hospice, December 5th, 2024 at age 99 1/2 after learning she had colon cancer. She had planned to live to be 100.
Marianne was an amazing woman who traveled all over the world and experienced major historical events in person. She was born in Germany in the aftermath of WWI and her father ran against Adolf Hitler for a commissioner seat which they both lost. She saw the Hindenburg take off from Europe and her future husband watched the crash. As a holocaust survivor, she, her brother, and sister, escaped persecution among the 10,000, mostly Jewish, children on the Kindertransport sent to England. She survived the blitz while training as a nurse in England during World War II. She was both an artist and an artist's model. She read over 300 pages a day and authored of her memoirs at age 90. She met Mother Teresa at the request of a student, lunched at a maharaja's table, washed baby elephants, and married the man of her dreams after a NY blind date.
Marianne's careers and interests have been equally unique. In England, She trained as a nanny, then completed her 4 years of registered nursing training in 1946. She also studied dramatic production and directing at Morley College, primarily Shakespearean pieces. Theater was her passion. She was active in many stage performances while living in Westport, CT and East Lansing, MI. In Westport, she sang in a Brahms Cantata. In E.L., she played La Poncia in Lorca's "The House of Bernarda Alba" and Sarah in Jean Giraudoux's "Judith". The last role she performed was as Princess Kosmonopolis in "The Sweet Bird of Youth" by Tennessee Williams. She received a Sparty Award and Best Actress from the Lansing Theater Guild for her acting.
Marianne received degrees in Drama and Education from MSU, where her husband, Jim, was on the Engineering faculty. Marianne lived in East Lansing for 40 years and taught German, English, humanities, and drama at Okemos High School. Her impact continues as seen by the number of students who are still her friends. Marianne produced and directed Okemos High School Drama events, participating with her students in Drama/Forensic competitions, and traveling with her German students for educational trips to Germany.
Near the end of her teaching career, Marianne created Indo-China Imports and imported Indonesian and Indian art, gold and silver jewelry, and textiles, She traveling 8 times to those countries. Marianne resided in 6 counties and 4 states. Marianne also volunteered as a Smithsonian docent at the Freer Art Gallery, specializing in Asian art. One could say that she was like a real life "Forrest Gump" in the way her life weaved through history.
She is survived by her grandchildren, "Sasha" Alexandra Kaul Lubkin (Ross Almendarez) of Hayward, California, James William Lynch Lubkin of Nashville, Tennessee, and Capt. David Edward Torrey Lubkin, MD (Lauren Teague) of El Paso Texas, daughter-in-laws Janice Eileen Lubkin and Kathleen Lynch, step-grandchildren Mitchell Evan Opanasenko of Ypsilanti and Matthew Lee Opanasenko of Jackson, MI. She is survived by many nieces and nephews that she dearly loved.
Marianne was predeceased by her husband, James Leigh Lubkin whom she married on October 22nd 1948. She was predeceased by her sister Eva Susanne Grace, her brother Karl Eduard Buchholz and both her sons: Gregory Peter Lubkin, Esq and Frederic Anthony Lubkin, Esq.
Marianne completed her autobiography with the help of her sons. "My Book/My Life" is a fascinating non-fiction told by a master story teller and educator. The latest edition is available in English and German thanks to the efforts of Burkhard Wilbers. "My Book/ My Life" is available at the Shiawassee District Library- Owosso.
Marianne had always planned to live to be a 100. She looked forward to the celebration of her life. Her Memorial will be scheduled for her birthday, May 5th, 2025, 11:30 at her Owosso home. A zoom broadcast will be offered for those too far to participate. This Celebration will be officiated by Reverend Bessie Hope and Pastor Mollie Loveall. They will facilitate a jubilant reflection of her life.
Please consider donations in her name to the ACLU in lieu of flowers. Marianne loved flowers. She loved sitting among them on her porch swing, reading in the sun, studying the lake. Both Marianne and Jim were strong supporters of the ACLU |
Copyright © 2025 Direct Obits, LLC
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5/1/2025 |
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| Funeral Service |
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5/5/2025 |
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11:30 AM |
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Nelson-House Funeral Home
120 E. Mason Street
Owosso, MI 48867Get a Map to this location...
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Reverend Bessie Hope and Pastor Mollie Loveall. |
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