Mary Menovcik

Mary Rita, 92, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2016. She was born in Detroit to the late George and Mary Menovcik on December 31, 1923. During her life, she lived in Detroit and Sterling Heights then moved to Haslett, Michigan where she built a life surrounded by family and friends. Also, Mary wintered in Miami, Florida.

Her devotion to her family, Catholic faith, the Rosary, and those that knew her were her truest loves. She had a ready sense of humor, a great passion for music, an amazing knowledge of world events, and a lifelong love of sports, especially for the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. In Haslett, she treasured the friendships of her neighbors at Grange Acres, was an avid supporter of the Meridian Township Historic Village and Lake Lansing Summer Concerts in the Park Series. Until her admission to hospice, Mary never missed working as an election inspector in the Greater Detroit Metropolitan Area and Meridian Township.

To all that knew her, she was proud to be “Aunt Mary.” One of her great joys were the winters she spent in South Florida. Aunt Mary never missed a sporting event of either her great nephew or great niece, Gregory and Blair Shupenko. Everyone at those games always knew the woman in the green chair, even the referee’s and opposing teams.

In life she is survived by her brother Thomas (Joy); sister-in-law Joan; Aunt to nieces and nephews, Mary Ann Ehinger (James); John Shupenko (Karen); Julie; Gregory, Phillip, Stephen, Matthew; Jamie Ann Rapson (Norman); Great-Aunt to Gregory (Veronica) and Blair Shupenko; George (Christine); Michelle; Rachel, Alyssa, Nathan and Malorie. She was preceded in death by her sister Helen (John) Shupenko; brothers George (Phyllis), Cyril; and nephew George Philip.

Mary’s family would like to thank the staff of Medilodge of Okemos and Sparrow Hospice Services for the compassionate care given to her over these last two years of her life. We especially want to thank Rev. Phyllis Jolly, a hospice volunteer, for being there for her. Additionally, we want to thank Mary Ellen Furseth, the Ted Beekman and Richard Searl families and Jan Parrish for all of their support. Aunt Mary knew she was loved and appreciated.

A brief visitation will be held on April 4, 2016, at 9:00 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, Michigan. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am. After the mass, interment services will be held at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Sparrow Hospice Services, 1210 W. Saginaw, Lansing, Michigan 48915 or to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit, 1740 Mount Elliot St., Detroit, Michigan 48207. Arrangements are under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Lansing Chapel.