Obituaries

Lynn Marie Tilson, age 71, died on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, Michigan. She was born April 21, 1954, in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, to John & Joan Tilson.

Lynn attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Sault Area High School in 1972. She played on the high school's first girls' basketball team. She attended Central Michigan University for 3 years and then transferred to Aquinas College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. Years later, Lynn completed a Master of Arts degree in Education at Ball State University.

Upon graduation from Aquinas College, Lynn entered the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids and was assigned to St. Stanislaus Parish in Bay City where she taught physical education and coached girls’ basketball teams. Other assignments included teaching at St. Francis High School, Traverse City, and St. Mary's Catholic School, Lake Leelanau.

Lynn was a successful small business owner of a teacher supply store in Traverse City, before joining several organizations: Pitney Bowes, Cardinal Stritch University, American Red Cross, and Northwestern Michigan College.

After moving to Buckley, Lynn became knowledgeable in Michigan Cemetery Law and was instrumental in restoring many Tilson family plots in the Upper Peninsula.

Lynn was a healthcare and environmental activist. In recent years, she raised awareness of the negative health impacts of silica from sand and gravel mining in the county. Her activities included the measurement of silica in the county.

Lynn enjoyed everything about the Great Lakes but especially the sand dunes along Lake Michigan. She enjoyed nature photography and made yearly calendars for friends that featured the beautiful scenes along Lake Michigan. Other activities that Lynn enjoyed were hiking, snow shoeing, and reading murder mysteries. She avidly followed the Detroit Red Wings along with the University of Michigan football and softball teams.

Lynn’s life was cut short due to being diagnosed mid-April with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA).

Lynn is survived by her brother, Tim Tilson; sisters, Karen (Tilson) Miller and Margaret (Rob) Chaplin; nephew, Jay (Kelsey) Miller; niece, Kristen (John) Schils; two grandnieces, Kenley Miller and Emily Schils; and two grandnephews, Maverick Miller and Luke Schils.

Donations can be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 606 E 4th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, and/or The Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St, Traverse City, MI 49686.

Cremation has taken place and burial will take place in the North Rudyard Cemetery, 15141 S. Tilson Road, Rudyard Michigan 49780.

Family and friends will be notified if additional arrangements are made.