Mary Popovich

A true “woman for all seasons”, Marguerite Popovich was a generous person of many talents. She loved music, reading, cooking, collecting – but most of all teaching. She used these gifts to bring joy and happiness to those around her.

1915 was a time of great upheaval. Cities were thrumming with the constant influx of people looking for work, while overseas, soldiers took to the trenches as battles raged through the “Great War”. In the town of Clare, Michigan, on July 10, 1915, George and Hannah Garvey Witt were not thinking of cities or wars. They were celebrating the birth of their first child – daughter Mary Marguerite, fondly known as Marguerite. George worked hard as a carpenter and contractor, while Hannah, who had been teaching in a country school, stayed at home with her new daughter.

When Marguerite was young, her family moved to Saginaw where her brother J. Daniel and sister Betty Jane, were born. The three siblings enjoyed many happy times together, with Marguerite loving to roller skate and play badminton. The whole family was very musical and Marguerite was no exception. Many family evenings were spent with Dad, J. Daniel and Betty playing instruments like the oboe, clarinet and drums, while Marguerite joined in on violin or piano. Mom was content to be the audience and sit and listen to her talented family.

The whole family loved the outdoors and young Marguerite was a Campfire Girl, becoming a leader later on. The Witts would often spend their vacations tent camping, enjoying the beauty of Michigan. They traveled to the Upper Peninsula, Interlochen State Park, Cranberry Lake, and other scenic places throughout the state. George had a beautiful fishing boat he had made, and this was an important part of their camping “gear” – perfect for fishing and time on the water.

Marguerite attended school in Saginaw, starting with Longfellow Elementary. From there she went to Central Junior High and graduated from Saginaw High School. Marguerite, quick witted and blessed with a great sense of humor, did well in school and made many friends. With a desire to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Alma College and her Master’s from Grand Valley University. Her first teaching job was at Vanderbilt High School in Vanderbilt, Michigan. From there she taught at Owosso High School, Flint High School, and eventually Comstock Park High School, where she retired after 35 years of dedicated teaching.

Her first love was a gentleman named Ervin Champlin. Ervin, a sales person, and Marguerite dated for a few years and were married in the Warren Avenue Methodist Church in Saginaw. They had been married almost 15 years when Ervin died suddenly of a heart attack. In 1958, Marguerite took a trip on the Milwaukee Clipper with her niece Sue, to celebrate Sue’s birthday. On the voyage, she met Robert Popovich. An attraction developed and the couple continued to see each other. A Justice of the Peace performed their marriage at a quiet ceremony in Grand Rapids. Marguerite had no children, but shared her love with friends and pets, especially her dogs Lucky, Rusty and Bambi. She even found a place for an adopted squirrel she affectionately named “Reddy”.

Marguerite was a very talented and accomplished woman. Her book of poetry, entitled “Daydreams” was published as were some of her other literary works, and she was a member of the International Society of Poets. She was a wonderful cook, specializing in desserts, and was always trying out new recipes. Her favorite were those involving chocolate and/or fudge. She was a collector of small novelty clocks. The clocks always kept perfect time, and, like a chorus of musical voices, were all set to chime at the same time. Marguerite was extremely thrifty, saving everything and throwing nothing out if it could be used again.

She and Robert loved to walk to John Ball Park near their home, where they would contentedly feed the ducks and enjoy the other animals in the zoo. She was an avid bingo player, playing regularly at the Sacred Heart Church across from her home, and at the Westside Complex. Sadly, in 1997 Robert died of complications from diabetes. Marguerite was very lonely after Robert’s death, but wonderful neighbors watched out for her, especially her special friend, Troy. Lately, Marguerite had been suffering from congestive heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis. On Saturday she was taken to Butterworth Hospital.

Mrs. M. Marguerite (Witt) Popovich, age 88 of Grand Rapids, passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening, February 3, 2004 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Hospital. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ervin R. Champlin, her second husband, Robert Popovich in 1997, and her brother J. Daniel Witt. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Betty Jane and Albert Presidio of St. Charles, MI; three nieces, Susan Graham and fiancée James Swartz, Martha and Ray Guzy, and Mary Buchannan; her nephew, James and Connie Witt; many great nieces and nephews and many friends, especially Troy who helped her in many ways. A funeral to celebrate the life of Marguerite will be held on Friday at 1:00 PM at Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. NW. Entombment will be in Graceland Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, and again on Friday from 12:00 noon until the time of the funeral. Please visit Marguerite’s personal website at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, order flowers or make contributions in her memory to "Paws with a Cause" or Kent County Humane Society.

Marguerite Popovich was a very special person. Most of her life was spent educating children and her warmth and dedication influenced many children for many years. She will be greatly missed.