TRAVERSE CITY – Marion Lloyd Talbot, MD, MPH, age 79, of Traverse City, passed away on Friday, February 8, 2019 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Marion was born on May 15, 1939 to David and Kathleen (Elliott) Lloyd in Toronto, Canada. Shortly after Marion was born, she and her family moved to New York City as her dad went to work at the Rockefeller Institute.
In 1944, the family then moved to New Haven, Connecticut as her father became a Professor of Neurophysiology at Yale. Then in 1947, the family moved to Great Neck, New York where in 1956 Marion graduated from Great Neck High School. Following Marion’s graduation from high school, she went on to study biology at Tufts University Jackson College from 1956-1958.
She then went on to attend Washington Square College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. In 1972 Marion hired as Deputy Chief of Ear, Nose, and Throat for Alaska Native Medical Center, a federal hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. A couple of years after, Marion was promoted to Chief of Ear, Nose, and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery, as a consultant to all seven Alaska Native Hospitals.
In 1977 Marion earned her Masters Degree of Public Health while in Anchorage. Before Marion became the ENT Chief for the Alaska Native American Clinic in Anchorage, and earning her Master of Public Health in Alaska, she followed an interesting educational path from New York to Baltimore, to Washington DC, to Iowa, to Wisconsin, and eventually to Alaska. At the age of 21, Marion is quoted as saying “I would have never have imagined living in Alaska”.
Marion was often asked what motivated her to move to Alaska. As she explains it, Alaska was a new venue for a woman doctor. As a ENT doctor, Marion heard that ear disease was more prevalent in Alaska than anywhere else in the country.
More than anything Marion moved to Alaska expecting to make a difference. Marion worked at the Alaska Native Medical Center for the Alaska Native Health Clinic in Anchorage. While in Alaska, Marion was a huge fan of the Iditarod Race, where she enjoyed watching the mushers and their teams of sled dogs’ race between Anchorage and Nome.
Marion was also a pilot, where she traveled across the Alaskan landscape to various towns where she provided care and assistance to those that did not have direct access to a medical facility. Marion was an excellent pilot, a skill she obtained while living in Iowa. She was able to reach far parts of Alaska where she would perform surgeries for patients that couldn’t come to her, she was able to go to them.
Her ability to fly and her intelligence in the medical field all assisted her in making a difference for those in need. By the end of the 1980s, Marion was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and had accepted her MS. In 1993, Marion ended up moving to Michigan where she was still able to walk, at least with a cane or walker.
Marion was an active volunteer with various organizations in the Traverse City community. She was an avid reader, which led her to volunteer at both the Norris School and Traverse City St. Francis High School in the library, assisting many kids with book reports and research papers. While in Traverse City, Marion took some time to travel the world.
By 1985, she was traveling quite a bit, including a trip to the Holy Land. Marion traveled to Rome, Jerusalem, and even Egypt. During her early years in Michigan, Marion traveled with Terry Tarnow, Jo Collins, and others on a trip to Cape Dorset for the Dennos Museum.
Marion is survived by her brothers; Owen (Lillian) Lloyd, Cadillac, Evan (Cathy) Lloyd, Maryville, TN, nieces; Ramona Marion Lloyd, Melissa Lloyd, nephews; Carlyle Lloyd, Steven Lloyd, and sister-in-law, Beverly Lloyd, Manton. Marion is also survived by 5 great-nieces and 1 great-nephew. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, and her infant child.
A memorial service for Marion will take place at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Monday, February 18, 2019 at 11:00 am with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions in Marion’s honor to be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 29777 Telegraph Road, Suite 1651, Southfield, MI 48034.
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