Beatrice Mae Siwak

Beatrice Mae Siwak, age 97, of Roseville, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Beatrice was born on May 11, 1926 in Detroit, MI to her parents, the late Florence and Dwight Downham. She was married to her beloved husband, the late John Siwak, for almost 67 years. She is survived by her loving brother, Kenneth (Alice) Downham and preceded in death by siblings Hazel (Frank) Seiberlich, Thomas (Eldred) Downham, Dwight (Helen) Downham Jr. and John Downham.

Although they never had any children of their own, Bea and John loved their families and were the best aunt and uncle that anyone could ask for. Beatrice is the beloved aunt of Larry (Barbara) Smith, Dr. Thomas (Julie) Downham, David (Anne) Downham, Robin (Karen Burr) Downham, Cindi (Russell) McGaw, Susan (William, deceased) Stone, Dwight (deceased) (Rosemarie) Downham III, John (deceased) (Christine) Downham, Florence (Peter) Sheils, Dolores (Richard) Chokas, Douglas (Joanna) Downham, Kevin (Wendy, deceased) Downham, Darryl Downham, Doreen Downham, and Kristopher (Dora) Downham. She is also a cherished great aunt to Carrie (Anthony) Rickman and many more greats nieces and nephews from Michigan and Connecticut, including great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews! Treasured by previously departed loved ones, John's first cousins, Lillian (Kenneth) Papich, Terry (Stella) Paliwoda, Theodore (Laura) Paliwoda, Miriam (Leonard) Moody and the adored “aunt” to John’s second cousins, including Robert Papich (Cathy).

Bea worked at the Fort Wayne Army Post for three years before working as a Personnel Assistant and Executive Secretary to Dan Holley for 42 years at Holley Carburetor. John also worked at Holley for 46 years. Contrary to popular belief, Bea did not meet John while working at Holley, but while singing in their Senior High School Choir at Campbell Avenue Methodist Church in Detroit. They were married on May 14, 1949.

Bea & John also loved their friends and neighbors and after they moved into their lifelong home in 1957, they hosted their neighborhood’s first block party that continued for 17 years. Bea was an Eastern Star (Mason) member for 68+ years, while John belonged to the Masonic Lodge for about 43 years. They loved bowling, golfing and the Detroit Tigers and would attend as many games as possible. They even have bricks with their names on them at Comerica Park, as well as on the Detroit Riverwalk. The couple also loved to travel and had timeshares in Cancun, Hilton Head Island and Hawaii. They loved Cancun so much, they visited 25 times in 30 years.