WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Margaret “Maggie” Mary Smolarz, age 83, of Colon, and formerly of Naubinway, Mich., passed away Friday, May 20, 2011, at her home after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.
Maggie was born April 21, 1928, in Ferndale, a daughter to the late George and Mary (Pate) Durr.
Maggie graduated from St. James Schools in Ferndale in 1947. After attending college at the University of Detroit, she met and married Stanley Smolarz on Aug. 21, 1952, in Ferndale. They settled in Naubinway, Mich., where they lived and raised their family. They moved to Colon in 2003 due to Stan’s illness. He preceded her in death on April 9, 2008.
Maggie was a homemaker and was very involved in her children’s lives and activities. She loved living in Naubinway where she was a founding member of the coffee circle and was well known for her seamstress abilities. Many babies have grown up loving one of Grandma Smolarz’s blankets.
She is survived by four children, Mary Smolarz(Jeff Wolfrum) of Wind Lake, Wisc., Joe (Paige) Smolarz of Colon, Ann (Mike) Person of Sanford, Mich., and Angie Smolarz of New Jersey; nine grandchildren, Allan, Emily and Daniel Wolfrum, Tom, Spencer, Jonathan and Andrew Smolarz, and Abby and Matthew Person; sister, Mary Ellen (Jim) McCormick of Levering, Mich.; brother, Joe (Lucy) Durr of Minoa, New York; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon. A Rosary service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Colon, with Rev. Fr. Richard A. Fritz officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials in memory of Maggie be made to either St. Barbara’s Catholic Church or Lifespan Hospice of Battle Creek. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Maggie was a special lady who will be missed very much by those who loved her.
