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Obituary for Mary Kay Stark-Marwil
Mary Kay Stark-Marwil, of Berkley, Michigan died peacefully at her home, surrounded by family and friends, October 1, 2010 after a long, courageous battle against cancer. She was 58 years old. Mary Kay was born March 20, 1952, in Pontiac Michigan, to Harry S. and Rosemary (Stuart) Stark. She graduated from Marian High School, the University of Denver and earned a Masters in Library Science and Education from Wayne State University. After school, Mary Kay focused her energy at Focus: HOPE in Detroit and was responsible for the establishment of the Sunshine Daycare Center which promotes the intellectual, physical, emotional and social development of children. Mary Kay was a passionate and dedicated elementary teacher. She encouraged her students to reach for the stars - nothing was unattainable. Mary Kay first taught at Jones Elementary and for twelve years, she was a librarian in the Detroit School District. Afterwards, Mary Kay taught at Keith Elementary and Pleasant Lake Elementary in Walled Lake. Mary Kay was forced to leave her teaching career because of health issues, but she never stopped caring or lost contact with her students and fellow teachers that touched her life.
Along with being an enthusiastic teacher, she was an avid reader, fearless swimmer, advocate for animals, and extensive traveler (China, Africa, Europe, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Gallipolis Islands to name few). Mary Kay lived life to its fullest, found joy in everything and everyone, viewed life with open eyes and mind, added color to all she touched and lived by the creed that family and friendship is our MOST treasured gift!
A special thanks to her caregivers � Jack, Jean and Annette.
Mary Kay is survived by her husband, Jack; brothers, Keith (Jean) Stark and Bob Stark; sister-in-law, Debbie (Jerry Bigelman) Marwil; brother-in-law, Brand (Susan) Marwil; nieces and nephews, Beth (John) Omtvedt, Adam Kaplansky, Karen Marwil, Rob Kazmierski; great-nephews, Alexander and Jacob (Cup-Cup) Omtvedt and faithful companions Rosie and Theodor. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Marcia Marwil and loyal companions Scruffy and Thumper.
Visitation at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Rd. (Between 14-15 Mile Rds.) Monday 3-8pm. Funeral mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park (Coolidge at 9 Mile) Tuesday 10am. Friends may visit at church beginning at 9:30 am.
Memorials appreciated to the Father Solanus Casey Center, benefiting the phone request line, 1780 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, Michigan 48207 or The Detroit Zoological Society, benefiting the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, Michigan 48067.
