Marie (Hamann) Janowsky of Dorr died Wednesday, Jan. 4.
She was born Oct. 13, 1929, in North Tonawanda, NY, to Carl and Margaret Hamann, the third of three children. She had two older sisters, Norma and Natalie.
Given the times, life was difficult but she took solace in her faith and music was also an important part of their lives with Marie playing the ukulele.
Marie was an accomplished student; she was advanced twice, allowing her to graduate early. After graduation, she worked as a librarian. During high school and church, Marie met Russell Janowsky and just 11 days before her 19th birthday, they were married in 1948.
Russell worked for Ashland Oil. Eventually Russell’s job evolved into a field sales position with Valvoline Oil that ultimately led them from New York to Michigan in 1962. They lived in Romulus for about two years before relocating to Martin in 1964. Russell and Marie became small business owners of auto parts stores in Kalamazoo and Byron Center.
Marie and Russell had six children: Kevin, Gwen, Amy, Susan, Carla, and Pam. As the family grew, the closeness remained with frequent Sundays finding the family gathered around the table for a home cooked meal of corn chowder, or inviting the neighbors over for volleyball in the side yard.
As a parent, Marie was dealt one of the most difficult things that a loving parent would ever face, the loss of not only one but three of her six children. Russell was stricken with a life changing aortic aneurysm in 1976. Marie was to be his faithful and primary caregiver for the next 24 years.
Marie and Russell relocated to Dorr where she lived until 2017. After Russell’s death in 2000, she sold her home and moved into a downstairs apartment with her daughter, Amy. Until her last day, Marie lived independently. She maintained her apartment, washed her own laundry, cooked for herself, and patronized the local library.
Marie is survived by her three daughters, many grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
A funeral will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home – Dorr Chapel, 4330 18th St., with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service.
