Marion Margaret Manos

Marion Margaret (Pavelka) Manos, age 95, of Westland, Michigan, passed away peacefully and returned to her Lord on August 21, 2025. She was born at home on Maple Acres Farm in Standish, Michigan on February 2, 1930 to the late Mary Frances Martis and Thomas Martin Pavelka. Her parents, immigrants from Slovakia, fostered a faith filled home with a strong Slovakian heritage. Marion spoke often about first learning English after she started 1st grade at the one room schoolhouse.

Marion graduated from Standish High School with the Class of 1947 and went on to pursue her lifelong passion for helping others by attending the Hurley Medical School of Nursing. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1951, dedicating her professional life to caring for patients in Michigan, Wisconsin and, for a time, in Burbank, California. Marion’s nursing career was extensive and she worked in many hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and individual doctor’s offices. She received many awards and accolades during her career, including a commendation from the Governor for outstanding work ethic, reliability and kindness she showed to her fellow nurses, staff and patients.

A woman of many talents and interests, Marion loved playing tennis and proudly won the 1952 Detroit City Women’s Tennis Championship in the singles division. Her competitive nature continued throughout her life and you could often find her partaking in the much-loved family tradition of Euchre. Deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, she attended daily mass at St. Alfred’s Catholic Church which set the trajectory for her life and built her reliance on God, deepening her prayer life. This continued at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Livonia, where she found strength, community, and peace throughout her life. After retiring from her impressive Nursing career, she volunteered her time and knowledge as the school’s nurse.

Marion cherished her family. She is survived by her children: Anthony (Kristin) Manos, Richard (Haley) Manos, Mary Roux, and step-daughters Kathy (Ed) Jezik, and Helen Kurkowski (preceded in death by Ron); her many beloved grandchildren: Megan (Will), Ethan (Kate), Natasha (Spencer), Jordan (Brayden), Megan, Jacob, Maria, Katelyn (Mark), Bethany, Emerson, Noelle, Preston, Darius, Julia, Nathaniel, and Tristan; and her cherished great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. She will be remembered by her family as a strong, devoted, hard-working, and inspiring single mother who always placed God, her children and grandchildren above all else.

Marion was preceded in death by her son Emanuel Zachary “E.Z.” Manos (Sheri) her granddaughter Gianna, her parents, and her ten siblings: Victor, Steven, Anthony, Frank, Joseph, John, Michael, Thomas, Agnes, and Andrew.

Marion will be remembered as a woman of great resilience, warmth, and devotion. She lived a full life; rich with faith, family, and purpose, leaving behind a legacy of love that will continue to inspire those who knew her. She will be dearly missed by family and friends alike who were impacted by the spunky, vivacious, inquisitive, selfless, God-fearing woman.

A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 11441 Hubbard, Livonia, Michigan 48150. Marion’s family will receive visitors from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152, and again at church on Tuesday from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 10:30 am. A private burial will follow at Resurrection of the Lord Catholic Cemetery in Standish, Michigan.