Maureen Pawlak

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing on November 24, 2024 of Mary (Maureen) Margaret Pawlak (née O’Sullivan), at the age of 87. A wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, teacher, neighbor and friend of disarming kindness, unparalleled patience, and constant cheeriness, Maureen was cherished by all whose lives she touched.

Born to Irish immigrant parents on August 12, 1937, Maureen grew up in Detroit, Michigan, developing from a young age an ethos of hard work, frugality, modesty, gratitude, and contentedness. She graduated from Marygrove College in 1959 with a degree in special education and blind rehabilitation, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to education and caring for others. While working as a librarian at the Boys Club of Detroit, Maureen met the love of her life, Edward Pawlak. They married in 1959 and shared a beautiful 64-year partnership until Ed’s passing on October 10, 2024.

Maureen’s legacy is one of care for others. In her early teaching career, she learned Braille and dedicated herself to working with children suffering from multiple physical and mental challenges. After raising four children of her own, Maureen returned to the classroom in the mid-1980s, teaching at the Kalamazoo County Correction Center, and later in the adult education program at the Portage Community Education Center. Her work reflected her belief in the power of education and her unwavering faith in kindness and giving every individual a (second) chance.

In her personal life, Maureen was known affectionately as Maur, Red, Big Red, Momma, Granny, and simply Maureen to her family and friends. She had a gentle, joyful “gift of the gab”. Whether enjoying a chat over late-night tea, a movie and marble squares, donning yet another signature brooch on her sweater, or sharing the latest news about the family, Maureen enjoyed the simple things in life to the fullest. She was endlessly devoted to Ed, her children—Margaret, John, Brian, and David—her 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Maureen was a remarkable survivor, with an indomitable verve for life. Despite serious health challenges over the years, Maureen’s remarkable life force enabled her (at times miraculously) to overcome myriad physical challenges, always remaining funny, happy, determined, and strong of mind and spirit.

Maureen’s passing creates a incalculable void, but the memory of her unfailing good heartedness and quiet determination will forever inspire those who knew her to embrace kindness and perseverance.

A joint celebration of the lives of Ed and Maureen will be held December 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM on at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where family and friends are invited to share stories and honor two lives beautifully lived. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Maureen Pawlak to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council (http://kalamazooliteracy.org/donate), which is committed to causes that Maureen supported throughout her life.

May Maureen rest in peace, reunited with her dear Ed, and may her smiling Irish eyes forever shine in our hearts.