Marilee Ann Compagnoni Hamilton's Obituary
Flying over Alaska’s majestic mountains, scuba diving in the beautiful blue Hawaiian waters, hosting dall sheep hunting trips, helping police and first responders care for accident victims on treacherous Alaskan highways, assisting with Alaskan dog sledding races, bringing her children to Disneyland and making the world’s best homemade spaghetti for her family, this little, attractive, Italian great-grandmother lived a fulfilling life.
Marilee Ann Compagnoni Hamilton passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 27th at 7:35 in the morning from unexpected natural causes, surrounded by her loving family.
Marilee leaves behind a blended family, including her step-father, Dusty Miller (Antoniette);
her siblings, and those who predeceased her: Laura, Vicki (Keith), Jan, Mike (Mashelle), Sybil, Victor, Teresa (Jamie), Roger, Donna (Matt), Debbie (Donny) and Jack; her children, Chuck (Mary Lynn), Kim, Dan (Michelle), Tim (Sherry), Jamie (Steve), Laura (Tom), John (Debbie), Jim (Robin), Joe, Jeff, Jerry; her grand-children, Amber, Carly, Gianni, Sophia, Dania, Brianna, Lauren, Britni, Shelly, Lori, Chris, Rick, Christopher, Kevin, Megan, Victoria, Rosie, Dena, Gabrielle, Laurielle, Colton, Jeanelle, Kristy, Haley, Brandon, and her great-grandchildren, Malena, Athena, Cassius, Stephan, Jr., Grayson, Raelyn, Adalyn, Bentley, Oaklei, and Tessa, as well as a huge extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Marilee was born on November 26th, 1937 to parents Victor Compagnoni and Antoniette MaryAngela Radassi Compagnoni and raised with her three sisters, Laura, Vicki and Jan, in Hazel Park, MI. After her father, the youngest in his family not born in Italy, Marilee was one of the first in her family to be born in America. This Catholic family came by boat from Rome, Italy and the surrounding area.
Her father, Vic, a wood craftsman, named his first business after his first child (Marilee’s Wood and More). As she grew up, Vic was one of three men who owned and built Hazel Park Raceway, initially an auto racing track, that opened later, on 08/17/1949, with 15,000 attendees as a horse racing track (which contributed nearly 70% of the income of Hazel Park). He went on to buy Vic’s Landing, a restaurant, bar, hotel and marina establishment at Roberts Landing. After growing up in Hazel Park, Marilee moved her family to Roberts Landing about 1959 near her father, step-mother Julie and siblings Sybil, Victor, Teresa and Roger. She and her family briefly lived in Santa Maria, CA near her mother Ann, step-father Dusty and siblings Mike, Donna, Debbie and Jack. She then returned to the Marine City area to raise her six children, Chuck, Kim, Dan, Tim, Jamie and Laura.
In 1984, she moved to Alaska and married her loving husband Robert “Bob” Hamilton, then spent 25 years there, where she worked as a health aide running an Athabaskan health clinic in grizzly bear territory, which she loved. She earned awards for her dedication to the tribal community and formed lifelong friendships. She retired to St. Clair about 16 years ago to be close to her family when her husband passed away.
Marilee was committed and responsible in her endeavors. She worked nonstop to provide for her family by working for her father, a restaurateur; in the automotive industry; and running the Alaskan health clinic for over 20 years. She developed a strong work ethic, never missing a day of work, (sometimes from two jobs) modeling her father, and passed it down to her children. They are mostly entrepreneurs who thrived in the fields of window treatment specialists; innovator and real estate investor; financial services and philanthropy; United States Air Force; demolition services; and retail sales, supporting special needs children and non-profits.An important aspect of her personality was her tenacity to take care of her obligations no matter what it cost her. This gained her substantial admiration and appreciation from others.
On her latest birthday, nearly 100 people and families contributed to her “Gifts of Gratitude” book, writing letters to her and providing childrens’ artwork. They all let her know how special she was throughout her lifetime and gave her thanks for all that she had brought to their lives. It was a magnificent collection of works that meant the world to her. It was also wonderful that it was given to her while she was here to enjoy it.
Her son stated that he’ll miss her homemade spaghetti, an annual tradition she established of overloading his freezer every year on his birthday along with homemade apple pies.
Her daughters all commented on how much she had changed over the years, focusing more and more on family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren after her loving husband Bob passed away and she retired.
She liked to share stories like when she once was asked out by James Dean, the actor in Rebel Without a Cause. Her children used to joke about what life would have been like if he had become their father. And then there were stories about the times when her father, Vic, would gather the family together and serenade them with his guitar.
She loved to garden. Each year, without fail, her yard was in full bloom with colors of lavender to yellow, red to green, fushia to blue. She planted and cared for her flowers while always mowing her own lawn. She said that’s what kept her strong - and she was very strong! Her doctor’s concurred.
In recent years, her furry friends filled her days with so much joy. Two huge Boxers and a Pomeranian kept her in good company. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for the love and care of these dogs. She was definitely a dog lover, however once upon a time she had a cat named Simone.
As a small, Italian, 4’7”, 100 pound woman, one can imagine taking two huge dogs for a walk at the same time. Was it mentioned that she was strong? Her wish was that her furry companions, Abby and Lola, would pass before she did. At nearly 14 years of age, both predeceased her as she wished.
Marilee was always stylish, especially in her PJ’s, due to the fact that she was adorned with a beautiful set for many holiday gifts. Whenever the family stopped to deliver fresh donuts after church on Sunday, she’d come to the door with a big smile and fabulous PJ’s to greet, kiss and hug everyone.
She never missed a QVC or HSN deal, even the questionable ones. She had fun shopping for her huge family for gifts for all seasons. And as gifts to her, one of her favorite things was to receive handmade greeting cards from the children. They adorned her refrigerator with warm wishes of love.
Marilee’s main focus was always to know that everyone was Okay…. And there were a lot of “Everyones,” well over 100! This kept her quite busy. Imagine a blended family of this size where family reunions and holidays are a great time to reconnect and laugh….. Her family laughs a lot!
We’re all going to miss that jubilant smile and greeting at the door, the phone calls that started with “I haven’t heard from you lately” and all the things one misses from the matriarch of a large Italian family.
God simply wanted her home more than we were able to keep her here at home with us.
She recently told her son that she was not afraid of dying and that she was at peace with God.
She was loved!
Bless you Marilee and Thank You.
Ciao Bella!
Marilee will be honored at a private family
“Celebration of Life” gathering.
Please send condolences to: Please send any donations to:
Marilee Hamilton Your Local SPCA
℅ Jamie Murray
3445 St. Clair Shores Blvd.
East China, MI 48054
What’s your fondest memory of Marilee?
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Share a story where Marilee's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marilee you’ll never forget.
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