Marjorie Kammer

Marjorie (Mickie) Esther Kammer (nee: Dallas), of Grosse Pointe Park, beloved wife of the late Donald Arthur Kammer, daughter of William Roderick and Ethel Maude (nee: Macqueen) Dallas passed peacefully into the Light of her True Being after a two year battle with Dementia on December 3, 2016, age 94. She is survived by her beloved daughters: Cynthia Ann (the late Eric Clark), Kristen Lynn Kammer, and Nancy Elizabeth (Steven Wildern), her loving sister, Victoria Eunice George, grandchildren: Nathaniel Bradford, Tyler Dallas (Malorie Shallcross), Caitlyn Elizabeth Clark; Harper Elizabeth Beatrice, Dante Alan Wildern; great granddaughter, Nola James Clark, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and were much beloved by their Aunty Margie. She was pre-deceased by all her brothers: Meredith (Willa), Lester (Phyllis), Eric Dallas, Frank George; her sister Beatrice (Servasius Hess). From childhood to the mid-1960s Marjorie was a member of Central Methodist Church, Detroit where she was baptized, sang in the Youth choir, and was married. All Mickie and Don's daughters were also baptized there, and where the seeds for Peace and Justice Concerns were planted and nurtured for the family. As a student first of Mason school and later Grosse Pointe (South) High, she developed her love of Arts and her skill as an award winning athlete (field hockey; tennis) and most life changing, where she met and fell in love with Don, himself a four-letter athlete. During the War, she worked for the Records Department while Don was stationed in the Pacific (Okinawa). He received his draft notice on their wedding day. When the family moved to Lexington, Michigan they joined and became active in the Methodist church there. Small town life suited the growing years for the children, although there were challenges with Don's need to travel a great deal. Many Detroit friends and family share memories of visits up there to swim, pick apples, sled and play in a country setting. It was during this time Marjorie was approached by Paul Geer, Principal at the Meyer Elementary school, recruiting her to open a Youth Center in the old Elementary school, long closed. She faced her shyness to speak in front of town councils and many groups to elicit support and the Youth Center became a reality, and a relief for the Young people with limited recreational options otherwise. The family moved to Saginaw in the late 60's where Mickie and Don met people who became lifelong friends through their association with the local anti-war group, Peace Watch, the schools, their neighbors, the Troester family, as well as in the First Presbyterian Church on the West side where they lived. However, Marjorie was involved several years later in a community building effort known as Bridging the Gap, through which she helped plan several actions bringing awareness to the need for connecting a divided city. She also was involved with Migrant Farm Workers, improving their living conditions. Marjorie worked very hard to save Bliss Park from its historical imperative being lost to development; located across the street from Saginaw General Hospital where she fulfilled a 20 year career at the reception desk, including Employee of The Month Award. Don worked with Variable Annuity Life Insurance through the tri-city region, earning Top Sales Award two years running. Don died of heart failure, December 21, 1979. When she retired, Mickie moved to Glassboro New Jersey to be closer to her daughter. Cindi and grandchildren loved her being a part of their lives on a daily basis. It was here that she won the Volunteer of the Year Award from People Against Spousal Abuse, and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in several capacities serving the community. Her love of children, once again was strengthened through teaching Sunday school; a function she embraced at every church where she was a member. Coming full circle back to Grosse Pointe Park, she continued her life path, enriched with her commitment to family, friends, social justice. faith; her ongoing service to God guiding her every instinct daily. She continued her humanitarian work, as an active member of Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian, serving on committees, with the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery Detroit; teaching, baking, crafting for a cause, reaching out to new visitors, decorating, cleaning, working with children in the Arts Camp, Bible School and Church School, all well into her 90's! Mickie worked on Habitat for Humanity houses, Pointes for Peace, and participated in several Martin Luther King Day Marches from the church of her youth, Central Methodist, on Woodward. At Trombly Elementary she was a beloved lunch-time/playground supervisor. She loved her community of Metro Detroit and supported its many gems, like Belle Isle where she participated in clean-up day every year. She was a devoted reader and read the Free Press every day cover to cover, often at the Ewald Library. She had many friends among the librarians in all branches. She never missed a Noel Night, loved the arts, music, and theatre, and the Parks where she could bike to swim, take a class, read by the lake, play with her Michigan grandkids, or go to the movies (an avid fan all her life); again staying active within her community, like doing jazzercise at SOC, into her 90's. Mickie embodied the adage: Bloom where you are planted. She often remarked how she loved life and she grabbed it with both hands throughout. Marjorie donated her body to U of M, her final act of service. A memorial service will be held 11 AM Saturday, April 1st at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church, 8625 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to: Hospice of Michigan: 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI, 49301 www.hom.org Grosse Pointe Library Foundation, 15175 E. Jefferson Ave., GPP, MI, 48230 [email protected] Belle Isle Conservancy, 300 River Place Dr. STE2800, Det., MI, 48207. "In Memory of Marjorie Kammer, for__", [email protected]

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236