Marilyn Ann Braski

Marilyn Ann Braski, a resident of Columbus since 1966, passed away on Saturday, June 11 at home. She is survived by her husband Frank and her 8 children: Mike, Tom (Diane), and John (Tammy) Callinan; Margo (Dan) Truett; Danny (Valerie), Pat (Christine), Bill (Natasza), and Frank (Jeanette) Braski. Marilyn was also the proud grandmother of 23 grandchildren. She was born, the youngest child and only daughter of five children to Victor and Mary Pooler on January 14, 1933 in Brewer, Maine. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Victor of Syracuse, NY; Walter of Portland, Maine; and Bob of Orrington, Maine. She has one surviving sibling, Rock Pooler (Joan) of Holden, Maine and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn graduated as a Registered Nurse from Eastern Maine General Hospital in Bangor, Maine in 1950 where she worked prior to marriage and children. She was married to Army officer William Francis Callinan in 1952. Major Callinan was killed in action in Viet Nam in November 1966, leaving Marilyn widowed with seven children. She became an active member of the Gold Star Wives. She later met and fell in love with a chaplain's assistant, Frank Braski, who was stationed at Ft. Benning after his tour in Viet Nam. They married in October of 1969 and had a happy marriage of close to 42 years. Mr. Braski pursued a long career as an educator in the Muscogee County School District. After their children were grown, Marilyn worked for a while as a clerk at the Bradley Center.

Marilyn was born and raised a devout Catholic and was a long-time member of St. Anne Catholic Church where she was active in several ministries. She loved to play bridge, was an avid reader and enjoyed her book club. She was an outdoors enthusiast as she loved to travel, hike, canoe, and camp, as well as bird watching. She was very creative and enjoyed sewing and making crafts for her grandchildren. She will be truly missed by many.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Rosary will be held on Tuesday, June 14 at 6 PM at St. Anne Catholic Church with visitation to follow until 8 PM. Funeral will be on Wednesday, June 15 at 10 AM at St. Anne Church followed by interment at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anne Outreach and/or Our Lady of the Roses Ministry at 5353 Veteran's Parkway, Suite C, 31904.

To sign the online guest register, please visit www.shcolumbus.com.