Sarah "Sally" A. Guzowski, Died February 27, 2019

Sarah “Sally” A. Guzowski

Died Feb. 27, 2019

LAKE LEELANAU – Sarah “Sally” Anne Guzowski, 64, of Lake Leelanau, passed away on February 27, 2019 at her home after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.  Sally was born on March 17, 1954 at Kindley Air Force Base on the island of Bermuda, daughter of Frederick and Janet (Cornwell) Firchau.

Sally always felt that her greatest achievements were her loving 42-year marriage to Dick Guzowski and raising her three successful boys.  In 1984, she and Dick settled their family in Traverse City, which she believed was the best move of her life.  In 2005, she and Dick built her beloved home on Lake Leelanau, taking advantage of the dock life and the spectacular views. 

Sally graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Art History.  Her entire working career was spent in non-profit management, working with the Traverse City Arts Council, March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, and the Leelanau County Chamber of Commerce.  She also helped start the Leelanau Economic Foundation.

Volunteer work was also central to Sally’s life.  She served as the first female President of Kiwanis, two-year president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Trinity Lutheran Schools, and a member of the Board of Directors for Leelanau Christian Neighbors.  She also worked with Grand Traverse Hospice and the Boys and Girls Club of Traverse City.

Sally was known as an excellent listener with a tenacious spirit and a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-it-done attitude.  She will be remembered as a loving mother, wife, and sister, a good friend, and a woman who fought for what was important to her and strove to make her community a better place.

Sally is survived by her three sons, Josef (Rachel), Andrew (Lindsay), and Matthew (Haley) Guzowski; three grandchildren, Alexandra, Vivian, and Peter Guzowski; sister, Susan (Jim) VanDusen; brothers-in-law, Paul (Pat), Ken, Art (Mary), Bob (Sue), and John (Carol) Guzowski; sister-in-law, Mary (James) Lindbeck; cousins, Beth Ann (Chuck) Dyer and Rob Firchau; and special relatives, Robert (Druann) Firchau, Heidi and Jim Oneil, and Dick and Joann Wasserman.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 2 from 1 to 5 pm at the Leland Lodge.

Memorial donations may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, and/or the Cowell Family Cancer Center,217 S. Madison St, Traverse City, MI 49684.

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Agnes B. Allington, Died February 17, 2019

Agnes B. Allington

Died Feb. 17, 2019

LELAND - Agnes Bernice Allington, 94, of Leland went home to her Lord and Savior Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019 at Northport Highlands surrounded by her loving sons.

Agnes was born Oct. 30, 1924 in the parsonage of First Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay, where the pastor’s wife Mrs. Guldberg was a midwife.  She was the daughter of Pedar C. Forseth and Marie (Blacken) Forseth.  On Sep. 6, 1947 at the same church she married Leroy Albert Allington, who preceded her in death on March 31, 2003.

Agnes’s early life was forever changed by the sudden death of her mother in 1928.  Her father reluctantly agreed to allow her two younger sisters Ella (Joan) and Ruth to be adopted by families Rev. Guldberg approached in the Norwegian community.  Agnes and her older sister Anna stayed on the family farm north of Suttons Bay with their mother’s sister Christine, and maintained contact with their father.

Agnes graduated from Suttons Bay School in 1942 and began work as a teller at the Suttons Bay Bank.  She enjoyed relating her interesting experiences and accomplishments in helping bank customers with their needs.  Through her helpfulness at the bank she formed life-long friendships throughout the county.

After their marriage in 1947, Agnes and Lee purchased the farm near her birthplace as a place to raise their children.  They began planting cherry trees their first spring on the farm.  In June of 1953, she and Lee moved to Grand Rapids for better paying work.  This brought her back into closer communication with her sister Anna, who had also moved to the Grand Rapids area.  The two sisters were able to reestablish contact with their sisters Joan and Ruth then, and they all cherished their family ties the rest of their lives.

Agnes and Lee returned to Suttons Bay in 1958 to establish their own tool and die business, Alka Tool and Die.  Agnes worked in the office and helped to manage the orchards.  They also renewed their membership in the First Lutheran congregation.  She was a member of the Ladies’ Aid, which was active in fundraising for the church and in service to the community. 

As sexton of the Lutheran Cemetery, Agnes worked with Martin Martinson to organize written burial records.  As the treasurer she established a budget, a perpetual care fund, and also helped to create a governing board for the Lutheran Cemetery Association.  She held the positions of treasurer and sexton for twenty-nine years, and her records are still providing information for Lutheran families.

Her volunteerism extended beyond her church.  She participated in fundraising efforts for Northwestern Michigan College, and went door to door to raise support for Leelanau Memorial Hospital.

In 1965 Lee and Agnes acquired their home on Lake Leelanau and moved there full time in 1972.  Agnes retired from Alka Tool and Die in 1980 but continued to be active with the orchards.  After Lee’s retirement in 1985, they enjoyed spending winters in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She took great pride in maintaining their various properties, remodeling and decorating her homes, and mowing the lawn at their home on Lake Leelanau.  She continued to live at the lake until declining health necessitated a move to Northport Highlands.

Agnes is survived by her three sons: Albert (Donna) Allington, Donald (Diane) Allington, Stanley (Susan) Allington; seven grandchildren, Aaron (Janice), Trine, Nathan (Kristina), Adam (Ginger), Lindsay, Jessica and Sarah (Byron); seven great grandchildren; Sierra, Hannah, Alexander, Lucille Agnes, Owen, Robin and Leroy; two step great grandchildren Nathan and Meghan, a step great great granddaughter Haley and many loving nieces and nephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters Anna (Albert) Porritt, Joan Nelson, and Ruth Sogge; and a sister in law Helen (John) Buckles.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 with the family greeting friends at 1 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Suttons Bay.  Private family burial in Leelanau Township Cemetery will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, PO Box 189, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

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John W. Whipple, Died February 17, 2019

John W. Whipple

Died Feb. 17, 2019

NORTHPORT – John William Whipple, 84, of Northport, passed away early Sunday morning February 17, 2019 at Northport Highlands with his loving wife,Griselda, by his side.

John was born February 18, 1934 in Mt. Morris, MI to Harry and Nora (Nye) Whipple.  He was raised in Midland where he later attended Midland High School and was active in sports, excelling in football and baseball.

Following graduation, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Germany where he served with the military police.  After serving his country, John completed his university studies.  Over the

years he worked as a teacher, social worker, school psychologist, clinical director for a mental health clinic, and as a psychologist in private practice.  He retired in 2003.

John and Griselda met in Texas over 30 years ago.  They moved to Chicago where they both worked for the public school system.  On March 24, 2000 they married in Oak Park, Illinois.  As a young man, John visited the Leelanau Peninsula and fell in love with the beauty of the area.  His dream was to someday own a home by the water.  In 1969 he purchased property on Lake Michigan and one year later his dream became a reality when his lake house was built.

From then on there was no other place John enjoyed more.  Many wonderful days were spent there enjoying life with family and friends.  The “bar” was always open at the lake house and John made sure no one’s glass was ever empty.  He loved to sit on the deck and enjoy the beautiful views and sunsets.  His favorite saying was, “It doesn’t get better than this!”

John enjoyed the company of many good friends. Golfing and regularly meeting his friends for coffee were favorite past times.  He also looked forward to hunting season and the opportunity to spend time with his hunting buddy, Duane Whitman.  He took pride in the fact that the two of them had been best friends since the age of six.

John loved to talk and no one was a stranger to him.  He would often stop to chat with deliverymen, workers, or anyone who happened by.  John was a kind, generous man with a great sense of humor.  He loved to tease people and had a mischievous side to him.  Often competitive, he was always ready to place a “friendly wager” on just about anything.  A unique individual, John will be missed by many.

John is survived by his wife, Griselda (Uribe); stepson, Jayson (Gretchen) Goodner of Brooklyn, NY; a special niece, Kari Klinski of Royal Oak, MI; many nieces, nephews, and numerous special friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents and all of his 10 siblings: Robert, Ruth, Kenneth, Dorothy, Myron, Mildred, Geraldine, Jane, Jean, and Keith.

A celebration of John’s life will be held this summer.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 921 W. 11^th Street, Suite 1W, Traverse City, MI 49684; The Leelanau Conservancy, 105 N. First Street/PO Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654; Wings of Wonder, 13035 S. Greenway Trail, Empire, MI 49630

His family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Northport Highlands for the loving care and respect given to him during his stay there.

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Pamela K. Tope, Died February 14, 2019

Pamela K. Tope

Died Feb. 14, 2019

GAYLORD -- Pamela Kay Tope, 57, of Gaylord, passed away Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 in Gaylord.

Pamela was born Dec. 30, 1961 in Adrian, the daughter of Richard and Shirley (Hockin) Tope.

She loved playing Yahtzee and Skip Bo card games.  Pamela loved country music, especially the Oak Ridge Boys.  She treasured her two photos autographed by all of the Oak Ridge Boys.

The family would like to thank the staff at White Pines for the care of their sister, Pam, as well as a big thank you to Stephani.

Pamela is survived by her three sisters,  Diane Hopkins of Northport, Carol Moore of Monroe, MI, Pat Viviano of Marysville, CA; and her three brothers, Roger Tope of Rapid River, MI, Ken Tope of Adairsville, GA and Steve McCarthy of Gaylord, MI.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters, Frances Cilley and Beverly Tope.

Burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in LaSalle, MI will occur in the spring.

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Myrna L. Gardner, Died February 12, 2019

Myrna L. Gardner
Died Feb. 12, 2019

NORTHPORT – Myrna Lee Gardner, 86, of Northport, and formerly of Suttons Bay, passed into the hands of the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.

Myrna was born Nov. 28, 1932 in Owosso, the only child of Max and Vera (Chrivia) Hilfinger.  She graduated from Owosso High School in 1950, immediately applying for nursing school, only to receive her acceptance letter after setting her wedding date to Harold (Bud) Gardner, who survives.  On Sept. 20, 1952, they were married at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Owosso.  

As a devoted wife and mother, she waited until her two children were high school age, and then reapplied to nursing school at the encouragement of her husband.  Myrna was quickly accepted into the first year offering of the Montcalm Community College’s Nursing Program. There, she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.  For ten years she worked as a nurse in the Greenville, then Belding hospitals where she had a special love and skill of working with newborn babies.

Myrna was a very talented crafter; she loved crocheting afghans.  She would often crochet until the wee hours of the morning producing a beautiful afghan in less than a week.  Through the years, she made each family member a personalized afghan, and generously gave away many, many more through donations in the community and through her church.  She was likely to just give one to a neighbor or friend for no special occasion.  In her later years, she took up the hobby of stitching on plastic canvas with the same enthusiasm.  Many of her Kleenex boxes are displayed throughout Keswick Church.

Myrna also loved to cook and bake, and when not crocheting, she would spend time looking through recipe books and magazines for new things to try.  She loved gardening and always had at least one or two tomato plants with fresh tomatoes for eating.  She regularly made all the family favorites including her “secret family recipe” for Icebox Pudding; a delicacy shared at the table at holidays and family events. 

In addition to her family, Myrna loved animals, but mostly her cats, and would do anything to spoil them.

Myrna was very active at Keswick United Methodist Church; only slowing when getting around became too difficult for her.  

Myrna is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Harold (Bud); her two children, Kathy (Thomas) Zatorski, and Jim (Sandy) Gardner; her grandchildren, Max (Caitlin) Anderson, Miles Anderson, Alicia (Phil) Browne, Emily (Dan) Wilhelm, and Benjamin Gardner; and her precious great-granddaughter, Evy Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  A Memorial Service in Bingham Township Cemetery will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Highway, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

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Vivian M. Prindl, Died February 2, 2019

Vivian M. Prindl

Died Feb. 2, 2019

HUDSON FALLS - Vivian Mitchell Prindl, 107, a longtime resident of Hudson Falls, passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2019 at her home, surrounded by loving friends and family.

Vivian was born on Oct. 31, 1911, in Detroit, she was the second of three children

born to the late Mildred (Hotchkiss) and Robert Mitchell.  After graduating from Detroit Northeastern High School in 1930, she attended a business high school studying short hand and typing, earning money for tuition to attend Kalamazoo College, graduating in 1935.

She met her future husband on a train traveling to Arizona.  She was living and working

there and he was working on his master’s degree at the University of Arizona.  They

married in August of 1938 in Detroit.

Vivian and Frank then settled in Decatur, Illinois, where they started their family.  They

welcomed a son, Andreas in 1939 and a daughter, Patricia, in 1941.  In 1944 they moved to Lexington, Kentucky where Frank taught at the university and Vivian became an elementary school teacher.  They lived in Germany from 1957-59 where her husband was Cultural Affairs Officer at the U S Embassy and she taught kindergarten.

In 1961 the Prindl’s moved to Hudson Falls, NY, after Frank was chosen to be one of

the founders of Adirondack Community College.  Vivian soon accepted a position at

Sanford Street School in Glens Falls, where she taught third grade for 16 years, retired

and then returned as a part time volunteer for an additional 25 years, taking time off to

travel.

In 1999, at the age of 88 she inquired about becoming a volunteer teacher and resident

grandmother at the Kurn Hattin Home in Westminster, VT.  In exchange for housing and

meals she taught reading and crafts to students in grades 1^st to 8^th for several weeks in

the spring and fall for the next 16 years, officially retiring in 2015.  In the 70 plus years of

teaching, she has enriched the lives of thousands of children.

In 2004, in recognition of years of volunteer work, she received Yankee Magazine’s

Barn Raiser Award.  In 2009, she was recognized as the most senior volunteer in the

Northeast and was awarded with the Community MVP Award sponsored by the New

England Patriots football team.  Tom Brady, Patriot quarterback, personally awarded the

engraved wooden football trophy and a $1500 check for Kurn Hattin Home to her.

Every year, since 1950, she has spent her summers at the family cottage in Suttons

Bay, Michigan.  This past summer, she was invited to speak at the Traverse City District

Library to a group interested in her secrets of living a long and productive life.  It well

attended and covered by the local TV station, and the Traverse City Mayor presented

her with the key to the city in recognition her lifelong volunteerism and dedication to

teaching.

  

In addition to teaching, she enjoyed reading and traveling.  Vivian traveled all over the

world, visiting her family and friends in England, California, Japan and took a 105-day

cruise around the world, volunteering in the ship’s library.  She was especially proud of

her trips to Indonesia and the Philippines under the auspices of the International Book

Project.  She also visited Brunei, where she stayed with an influential Muslim family

learning about their culture and beliefs.

She was an avid Scrabble player, and would usually win every game, always willing to learn and give of herself, she recently was accepted to participate in a longevity study, (for those over the age of 105) sponsored by the Boston University Medical Center, in Boston, Mass.

Vivian is survived by her son Andreas Prindl, of Princeton, NJ and Angouleme, France,

granddaughter Karin Prindl, of San Francisco, California, grandson Chris Prindl and his

wife Susie and their children, Meaghan, Joseph, Martha and Elspeth of Truro, England

and many, many friends both near and far.

The Vivian Prindl Outreach Prize is awarded annually by the Trinity College of Music in

London, England and a scholarship fund has been established in her name at Wayne

State University in Michigan.

Burial in St. Michael’s Cemetery of Suttons Bay will be announced in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to New England Kurn Hattin

Home, Box 127 , Westminster, VT 05158

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Jeanette E. Pierce, Died February 4, 2019

Jeanette E. Pierce
Died Feb. 4, 2019

TRAVERSE CITY – Jeanette Elizabeth Pierce, 71, of Traverse City passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Jeanette was born October 9, 1947 in Elk Rapids, the daughter of Harry Judson and Elizabeth (Southbird) Gibbs.  On Sep. 30, 1967 in Grand Rapids she married Oliver Page Pierce, who survives.

Jeanette was a loving woman who would do anything for her family.  She loved to go the casino and play bingo.  She was skilled at playing cribbage and sewing.  Jeanette was a skilled cook and the family remembers apple pie, taco salad, and the tater tot casseroles she made for family reunions.

Jeanette was a strong and loving woman who would speak her mind and who would stand up for what she thought was right.   She was proud of her 100% Native American heritage and was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Jeanette is survived by her loving husband, Oliver; her children, Brian Pierce, Micheal (Tammy) Pierce, and her dog, Piggy; her siblings, JoAnn (Rodger) Fox, Ronald Judson Sr., Rosemary Johnson, Elizabeth “Betty” (Mason) Gibbs, and Debra Fox; and her grandchildren, Brenden, Keeley, David, Alyssa, and Mikayla.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Leroy, Barbara, Linda and Cheri; and a son, David.

Visitation will be held today until Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Pierce home.  The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 with the family greeting friends at 1 pm. at the Strongheart Center of Peshawbestown. 

Services will also be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.at Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Chapel in Walker, MI.

Memorials may be directed to the Pierce Family, PO Box 159, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

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Scott L. Ray, Died January 16, 2019

Scott Lee Ray
May 27, 1957 – January 16, 2019

LAKE LEELANAU -- Scott L. Ray of Lake Leelanau, MI passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Scott grew up in Grand Rapids, MI.  He attended Michigan State University where he received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering.  He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois.  Scott led a successful career as an engineer, statistician, software developer and group leader in Research and Development, working in both the national defense industry at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as well as in agricultural products at Dow AgroSciences.  He was very pleased to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees at his children’s high school, University High School of Indiana.  Scott was an avid bicyclist and dedicated guitar player, but his greatest passion and love was for his family.

Scott is survived by his wife, Patty; his daughter Abigail L (John) Sacia, his son, Jim W, and his brother Blake E. 

Scott was preceded in death by his parents David S. and Marian L. Ray.

Beloved husband; adored father; cherished son, brother, nephew, cousin, and brother-in-law; valued mentor, colleague and friend:  Scott will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.