Marilyn Ann McDonald was born on November 10,1953 in Kansas City Missouri to the union of Ivory Herbert McDonald and Ola Jean McDonald. From the very beginning she carried a warmth and strength that would become the hallmark of her life and the legacy she leaves behind.

Marilyn was educated in the Kansas City Missouri School District and later dedicated many years of hard work as a machinist. She was proud of her work ethic and understood the value of showing up consistently and doing things with care and precision. That same dedication showed up in every role she held as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Known for her uplifting spirit and infectious love of dancing, Marilyn had a way of bringing joy into any room she entered. Her home was always open and welcoming, a place where laughter flowed freely and no one ever felt like a stranger. Many looked to her as a mother figure because she loved deeply, corrected gently, and embraced fully. If you stepped into her home, you were family.

Marilyn expressed her love most vividly through food. She was a gifted soul food cook whose meals brought people together and created lasting memories. Her greens and brisket were legendary, dishes that carried comfort, tradition, and love in every bite. Gathering around her table was never just about eating, it was about connection.

Family meant everything to Marilyn. She was deeply family oriented and went out of her way to nurture relationships and care for those she loved. She also enjoyed traveling, with Las Vegas holding a special place in her heart. It was there that she married her loving husband, Thomas Hornsby, beginning a chapter filled with companionship and devotion.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Ivory Herbert McDonald and Ola Jean McDonald, her brother Karl Beaman, and her sister Darlene Beaman.

She leaves to cherish her beautiful memory her devoted husband Thomas Hornsby, her sons Marcus McDonald, William James Brewer, Gavin Hornsby, Christian Hornsby, and Christopher Hornsby all of Kansas City Missouri. She is also survived by her brother Darryl Beaman of Kansas City Missouri, her sister Patricia Beaman, thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Marilyn Ann McDonald will be remembered for her open heart, her welcoming home, her comforting meals, and the love she poured into everyone around her. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the family she held so close.