Thomasene J. Sakmar

Thomasene J. Sakmar, age 87 of Harrison Township, died Sunday, May 26, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 7, 1932 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, daughter of the late Thomas Muscatell and the late Anna (nee: Barron) Muscatell.

Born and raised through part of her elementary school years, Thomasene was 9 years old when she and her family decided to pick up stakes and move to Detroit to begin a new chapter in life and seek new and interesting opportunities. Possessing a wealth of intelligence and aptitude, Thomasene realized an accelerated path through her high school years and graduated at the young age of 16. She would eventually find work as a receptionist in a doctor’s office at the David Whitley Building in Detroit.

Miss Thomasene Muscatell was enjoying her job, and life in general,…then a glorious thing happened one day when she met the young and dashing, Mr. John Sakmar. At that moment, little did Thomasene realize just how impactful that introduction would become,…but Cupid’s arrow had just changed everything, and love gloriously unfolded that day for them both. That meeting would lead to courtship, and courtship would blossom into romance, which ultimately led them both to the altar at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Detroit where they exchanged their vows of marriage on June 19, 1954 to become husband & wife in the eyes of family and friends alike.

Thomasene continued to work until she and John were blessed with their first child, a beautiful baby boy, at which time she decided to leave her job to dedicate herself to the blessed task of motherhood and becoming a stay-at-home Mom. The family would grow again as she and John welcomed a gorgeous little girl into the world and their family unit was complete. As the children grew and were now in school, Thomasene’s hard work ethics began to call her name. But instead of returning to work and a full time obligation, Thomasene poured herself into volunteering efforts at her children’s schools, at election sites, and at various community functions. With the children now long grown and out of the house, the year was 1990 when she and John picked up stakes once again, this time heading just a little north to the bedroom community of Warren.

Thomasene was affectionately known to her loved ones as the “Family Connector,”…the family member everyone turned to for important information. With relatives in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, Thomasene was the one they relied on for addresses and birthdates, and as the organizer and planner for most of the family events like reunions, parties, and the like. If there was something you didn’t know, a simple call to Thomasene would garner the answer you needed.

When her daily tasks were behind her and she was able to squirrel away a little “me time,” you would often find Thomasene feeding and challenging her mind by filling out & solving a crossword puzzle. She also enjoyed a passion for musicals, especially those of the Broadway kind. Music filled her heart and soul, and was simply magnified by the artistic interpretation from the stage. Yet of all the passions she held dear and true in life, nothing could match the love and importance of “family” and the life-enhancing moments they shared together. Family meant the world to Thomasene, and she poured the finest parts of herself into nurturing that love.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Thomasene will be remembered as a hard working and responsible person, but more so as a person who possessed a giving spirit. She was always trying to find a way to help others and make another’s day brighter. She touched a multitude of hearts and souls along the way, and leaves a storehouse of wonderful memories for all to embrace who were blessed to know her. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally.     

She was the beloved wife of 50 years to the late John Sakmar. Loving mother of Dr. Thomas (Karina), and Ann (the late Gene Paddock) Sakmar. Devoted grandmother of Dr. John, Charlotte, Juliette, and William. She is also survived by many other loving family members.  

Visitation for Mrs. Sakmar will be held Friday, May 31st from 5-8 pm, with a 7:00 pm Eulogy Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren.

She will lie in state on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of her Funeral Mass at 9:30 am at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 14025 12 Mile Road in Warren. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Please share memories of Mrs. Sakmar at her guest book below.