Marilyn (Yacano) Lansdowne

Marilyn (Yacano) Lansdowne, 80, of Union Springs, New York, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on January 11. Born June 23, 1940 in Cortland, NY to Joseph, Sr. and Sarah (Levante) Yacano, Marilyn graduated from Cortland High School in 1958 and married Ivan “Butch” Lansdowne in 1959. She was predeceased by her husband, her brother Joseph Yacono, Jr. and her parents.

Marilyn had three children (Kelly 1960, Kevin 1961, Kim 1963) in three years, while holding a job and completing a nursing degree in 1966, which led to employment at Cortland Hospital, and in the offices of Drs. Essom and Nevin.

With family as her priority, she made several moves across the United States.  In 1981 she and Butch moved to Zephyrhills, FL to be near her parents.  In 1990, they moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to be in close proximity to her children, where she took an early retirement to raise her grandchildren (Lauren 1989, Taylor 1990, Sara 1992, and Cameron 1993) while caring for her mother Sarah. She often said taking care of her grandchildren was the best time of her life and attributed her grandchildren’s successes to “her” parenting skills. In 2000 they moved back to upstate NY to spend their retirement near family.

Marilyn is survived by her brother James Yacano of McGraw, NY; her children: Kelly (Brian) Brown of Union Springs, NY, Kevin (Delann Ansted) Lansdowne of Walkertown, NC, and Kim Lansdowne of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Lauren (Phil Johnson) Lansdowne, Taylor (Shay McGrady) Gustafson, Sara Lansdowne, Cameron Gustafson, Tiffany (Kevin) Brown Sennett; great-grandchildren: Layne and Axel Johnson, Gabrielle, Jocelyn and Sterling Sennett, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Marilyn was a kind and generous woman who always had a hug, smile, hello, and was anxious to strike up a conversation with anyone who met her gaze. She was selfless and spent her lifetime helping others. In retirement, she was an excellent laundress, dishwasher, and housekeeper (for all her children) and a laborer (for Brian Brown). She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren. She always carried photos, news articles, awards, etc. to show friends, neighbors, cashiers, waiters, strangers…well, anyone who would listen… about their accomplishments. Her chocolate chip cookies and warm smile will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A virtual gathering to celebrate Marilyn’s life will take place on Saturday, January 30th at 4:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time. Zoom Meeting: https://asu.zoom.us/j/9378020098

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