Evelyn Theresa Rybicki of Wayland died Saturday at the age of 96.
Born April 4, 1927, to John and Elizabeth (nee Kloska) Nowak in Hopkins Township, she married Bernard Donald Rybicki at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Nov. 27, 1948.
Evelyn had many passions in life, such as camping, traveling, sewing, knitting and crocheting and cheering on her Tigers. She deeply loved her family and time spent with each of them. They all have fond memories of her special coffee cake and homemade Christmas bags she would send home each year.
She loved to dance both polka and square. Evelyn and Bernard could clear a dance floor with how in-sync and smooth they were. She cherished her faith and loved her Lord.
She is survived by her nine children (all of whom were her favorite) Rosanne Hancock of Colorado Springs, CO, Jim (Joy) Rybicki of Wayland, Larry (Linda) Rybicki of Mendon, Barb (Rick) Borucki of Winston-Salem, NC, Phil (fiancée Connie Burton) Rybicki of Sparta, Ralph (Patti) Rybicki of Delton, Matthew Rybicki of Grand Rapids, Andy (Kim) Rybicki of Plainwell, Kathleen (Roy Williams) Alonso of Kentwood, MI; 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, John Nowak; and sisters Charlene Burns and Margaret (Chuck) Wila.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; sons-in-law Wayne Hancock and Billy Alonso; daughter-in-law, Shawn Rybicki; grandsons Elijah Pemberton and Joshua Stephens; great-granddaughter, Allyson Leggett; sister, Betty Jean Tompkins; brother-in-law, Arthur Burns; and sister-in-law, Mary Nowak.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services (Wayland Chapel), 312 N. Main St., Wayland, with prayers of the Rosary beginning at 6:30. A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 128 Cedar St., Wayland, with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Evelyn will be laid to rest at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery next to Bernard.
In memory of Evelyn and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Hospice or St. Therese Catholic Church of Wayland.
