Marie Christine Elieff stepped into the arms of Jesus on June 23rd, 2022 at the age of 93. There to celebrate her homecoming were husband Gordon and son Joseph. She was also preceded in death by her father, Conrad Sippel, mother Marguerite, sister Evaline and brother William. Marie is survived by seven children, Christine (Mike) Lawless, Michelle (Vince) Elie, Mary (Jeff) Day, David (Susann) Elieff, John (Kerry) Elieff, Paul (Tracey) Elieff, Steven (Rebecca) Elieff, daughter-in-law Mary Jo Elieff, twenty three grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and special niece Catherine Kern.
Marie was born on October 30th, 1928 in Detroit MI. She was eight years old when her father, a motorcycle policeman, was killed in the line of duty, leaving behind a widow and three children. Despite a difficult childhood, she has always been an encourager. Marie attended beauty school in Grand Rapids at 18 and opened Marie’s Beauty Shop in East Lansing when she was 20. She later married the love of her life, Gordon and together they had eight children. Marie continued to cut hair into her eighties and prayed with every single person that sat in her chair.
Anyone who knew Marie knew that she LOVED Jesus. The seeds for her faith were planted in a two room Catholic Grade School where she was greatly influenced by a nun, Sister Evangela. “She loved Jesus!! Religion was my favorite subject because she made the Lord so real. I wanted to know Jesus like she did.” Marie came to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior in 1970. In the last fifty years Marie has worn out a dozen or more bibles in her thirst for God’s word. She has read it, memorized it, and quoted it to everyone she talked to. She was a spiritual leader from her earliest conversion to Christ. She taught numerous bible studies, was a sought-after speaker for Women’s Aglow and a was a trusted leader, mentor and counselor to hundreds of people.
She loved Jesus, steak and golf. Marie made her first hole-in-one a number of years ago at Royal Scott. The date was Dec 28th with temperatures just above freezing. She was the lone golfer on the course and had to flag down a bowler to serve as an eyewitness. She had indefatigable energy and a legendary work ethic. Her greatest joy and accomplishment were her eight children and that each one of them has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Marie went through life at full speed and there are several angels in heaven that are worn out and happy she is home.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 Thursday, June 30th, 2022 and 9 a.m. Friday, July 1st, 2022 at Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Funeral Home 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing. Service to follow at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment at Delta Center Cemetery.
Special thanks to Lyndsey, Marie’s hospice nurse, and to the caring staff at StoryPoint Assisted Living.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rainbow Homes 2111 Adelpha Ave. Apt B Holt, MI 48842
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com for the Elieff family.
PALLBEARERS
Benjamin Lawless
Austin Elieff
Ian Elieff
Wyatt Elieff
Evan Elieff
Jack Elieff
Cooper Elieff
Tanner Tallarico
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17