Leona I.
Witkowski
Died Sept. 9,
2014
Cedar – Leona
Irene (Novak) Witkowski, 74, of 9410 S. Lake Shore Drive, passed away Tuesday,
September 9, 2014 at Munson hospital following a 52 year battle with
Syringomyelia.
She had a
lifelong passion for photography and her photos were published in Traverse The
Magazine, Zondervan Publishing and the Printery House.
She photographed
the stained glass windows in Holy Rosary Church and her work was documented for
the Michigan Stained Glass Census at Michigan State University. Her photos are registered in the national historical
registry.
She taught CCD for
16 years, was the school librarian, and a member of the school board and parish
council for Holy Rosary. She was a
Cancer Drive leader for 20 years. She
participated in pulling together the 100 year anniversary book for Holy Rosary
(1898 – 1998).
Her family
includes her husband of 54 years, Edward V. Witkowski of Cedar; two daughters,
Melissa A. Allen (Jerry) of Parker, CO, Kathleen M. Bren (Bryan) of Scottsdale,
AZ and her son Neil E. Witkowski (Julie) of Traverse City, MI; seven
grandchildren, four great grandchildren; a brother, Frank Novak of Cedar, MI,
and four surviving sisters, Geraldine A. Novak, Clarice M. Hoxie and Micki
Weigel of Traverse City, MI and E. Joyce Novak of Cedar, MI; nieces, nephews
and cousins.
She was
preceded in death by her father and mother, Frank and Anna Novak (Brzezinski),
sister Lenore Sattler (Novak) and infant son, Edward Witkowski.
Visitation will be
at Holy Rosary Church on Friday, September 12 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm with the Rosary
to be prayed at 7:00 p.m. A mass of
Catholic burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary, Saturday, September 13, 2014
at 11:00 am with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the mass. Father Donald Libby will serve as
celebrant. Burial will follow in Mt.
Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to The Felician Sisters, 36800
Schoolcraft Road,
Livonia, MI
48150 and/or Holy Rosary Church, 6982
S. Schomberg Rd,
Cedar, MI 49621.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.
Dear Ed, Melissa, Kathy and Neil: I just wanted to pass on my sincere condolences to all of you with Leona's passing. She was a mainstay during our school years at Holy Rosary with our visits to the library and as a chaperone helping out at our annual sand dune picnics. I even remember her coming along with us during a Girl Scout hike from Leo and Sandy Miller's house to Leelanau Pines over hills and dales; what great memories. As an adult, I was given a chance to work with her on the Holy Rosary Centennial celebration. What history! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless you and comfort you.
ReplyDeleteI want to express my deepest condolences on the passing of a mother, grandmother , aunt and godparent. I , in my younger days when attending weddings with my parents(Glen & Frances King), remember always seeing such a wonderful smile on Auntie Leona. I know this is a sad time for all, but we need to reflect on the good that Leona added to a special " aire" to the day for anyone who encountered her. I'm sure she will be missed by all but she has the "best" of company until we all meet again! Must love , prayers and thoughts on this day.
ReplyDeleteWe send our most sincere condolences to Ed and Neil and all the Witkowski family on your loss of dear Leona. She was so active for years at Holy Rosary parish, and I had the pleasure of being on the committee with Leona which worked on the Centennial book for the school, her last big project. I got to know her better during those memorable and warm meetings at her home, and truly admired her talents in photography. She was certainly a gifted and creative lady in so many ways! And the fact that Neil and Ben went through school together, first at HR then at Glen Lake, made another memorable bond between us. Glenn and I regret that we were unable to celebrate her life with all of you since we were gone that week on a business trip out west. But know that we were with you in spirit, and our thoughts and prayers are with you still. May Leona now rest in peace in the loving embrace of our Lord. And may the Lord bless and keep you all, Ed and family.
ReplyDeleteWith love and concern,
Judy and Glenn LaCross