Marceline D. Essary

Marceline (MawMaw) D. Essary, 83 peacefully entered Heaven’s gates January 21, 2014 in Traverse City, Michigan. She was born in Lubbock, Texas July 5, 1930 to Murray and Vesta Glasscock. In 1947 her Aunt Anne Sipe introduced her to a young man recently home from his stint in the Navy, Ruben Essary. After a short 6 week courtship they married in Lubbock, TX. Their love story continued for 57 years until his final celebration of life in 2005. Their family grew to six daughters and many other “daughters” who made her home their home, too. She always had room for one more -- sometimes two or three. It was never quiet at the Essary house and everyone felt welcome. They lived in Lubbock, Denver City, and Quanah, Texas. Their final transfer with Shell Oil Company in 1970 was to Michigan where they enjoyed beautiful summers, colorful autumns, cold winters and the rebirth of the land each spring. After retirement they traveled often, and especially enjoyed Hawaii and South Padre Island, Texas for several weeks each winter. In recent years she lived at Kalkaska Assisted Living and had many friends among the staff and residents. She often told others, “I really like where I live.” She had an unwavering faith in God and was a living example of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her children do indeed “rise up and call her blessed.” A member of the Kalkaska Church of Christ, Kalkaska, Michigan she lived the “Greatest Commandment” – to love God with all her heart, soul and mind and the “Second Commandment” – to love her neighbor as herself. She was mother, mother-in-love, grandmother, great grandmother and soon to be great-great grandmother to 131: 6 daughters and 6 sons-in law (Kay/Bob Nelson of Elk Rapids, MI, Cheryl/Randall Ryan of Childress, TX, Pam/Kenneth Horton of Quanah, TX, Melissa/Tim Leftwich of Rociada, NM, Terry/David Babcock of Kalkaska and Kim/Mike Babcock also of Kalkaska). Her life has been further blessed by 24 grandchildren and 23 spouses, 70 great grandchildren (soon to be 71) and 1 great great grandchild (soon to be born). Her family, after God, was her life. Her greatest legacy is they all know and love the Lord. She loved to shop, and being mostly confined to a wheelchair in recent years barely slowed her down. However, most often her purchases were for others. She enjoyed cross word puzzles, the Hallmark Channel and visits with family and friends and hugs and shouts of “MawMaw” from the children in her life. People were drawn to her smile and quiet manner, often telling her “their life story” because she was so easy to talk with. As her short final illness progressed to her heavenly celebration day, she was enveloped in love by her family and friends. The staff at Kalkaska Assisted Living became her friends and their friendship, and caring compassion brought her a lot of joy. That compassionate care continued at Munson Medical Center. Her comfort and peace were their priority which brought her family peace as well. Friends are invited to join the family for visitation on Friday evening at the Kalkaska Funeral Home from 5 – 8 pm and before services on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at Kalkaska Church of Christ. The service to celebrate her life will be Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Kalkaska Church of Christ, 11:00 a.m. A luncheon reception for family and friends will immediately follow in the Fellowship Center. Memorial donations may be directed to Kalkaska Church of Christ, 1725 W. Kalkaska Rd. NW, Kalkaska, MI 49646. The family is sincerely grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, support and random acts-of-kindness shown to us as our dear Mom-Momma-MawMaw traveled her final earthly days. Kalkaska Funeral Home has been entrusted by the family to direct Marceline’s final care. Friends and family can share memories of Marceline at www.kalkaskafuneralhome.com.

Marceline D. Essary

July 5, 1930 - January 21, 2014