Lucille Ann Kowalczak

Lucille Ann Kowalczak, age 104, died at MyMichigan Medical Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on March 12, 2023. She was born in Sault Ste. Marie on July 29, 1918, to Eugene and Elva Castagne. Lucille grew up in Barbeau, Michigan, and started working at the hospital. She met William “Bill” Benoit, when he was a patient, and they married on September 22, 1937, at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie. They started their family and she worked at the Hotel Ojibway for special events and waitressing for several years. She began catering for weddings with her cousin Eugenia Desormeau for several years. After Bill’s tragic death, a few years later she married Arthur “Art” LaVigne. They began traveling to Arizona and other states before settling in Florida for the winters. After ten years of marriage, Art died. Lucille then reunited with a family friend, who worked at her family’s farm, John Kowalczak, and they married in 1977 and were together for twenty-seven years before his death in 2001. After a few years, she moved back to Michigan in 2005 to be closer to her children. Lucille was a member of the Big Boy Bowling League, and the Merry Mixers, where they met once a month to play cards. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church. She along with three other ladies started the Thrift Shop at St. Joseph’s, while also being a longtime member of the church guild. Later, she became a member of the Holy Family Church in Barbeau, Michigan. Lucille loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting slippers, knitting sweaters, oil painting, and have everyone over for dinner. She also was a very good friend and neighbor, giving out her talents, sending out cards, and enjoying every day God gave her. Lucille will be missed dearly but we know she will be in Heaven with God and her family waiting for us. Love you mom and will dearly miss you. Lucille is survived by her daughters, Marsha Benoit of Sault Ste. Marie, Janet (Mark) Gillotte of Daphne, Alabama, Janice (Timothy) Curtis of Sault Ste. Marie; daughter-in-law, Rachelle LaVigne of Pickford, Michigan; daughter, Darlene Babin of Detroit, Michigan; son, Jack (Barbara) Kowalczak of Detroit; grandchildren, Todd (Jamie) Benoit, Lori Benoit, Michelle (Dave) Lawrence, Richey (Lisa) Walsh, Stefanie (Richard) Gomes, Tom (Kate) Sanderson, Billy Curtis, Tim (Krista) Curtis Jr., Joshua (Jamie) Curtis, Keldon (Samantha) Curtis, Corey LaVigne, Denny (Rachael) LaVigne, Deborah (Bob) Lylers, and Don (Jenny) Babin Jr.; many great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews, several god children. Lucille is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Elva Castagne; first husband, Bill Benoit; second husband, Arthur LaVigne; third husband, John Kowalczak; sons, Donald (Karen) Benoit, Marshall (Mary Ann) Benoit, and Art LaVinge Jr.; son-in-law, Don Babin; sisters, Marge (Romeo) Perron, Melvina (Howard) (Eugene Kelly) White; brothers, John (Tracil) McKay, Joseph McKay, Cecile Castagne, and Eugene (Eleanor) Castagne; sisters-in-law, Lois (Bill) (Roger Jarvis) Moils, Betty June Wonnoccat, Joyce (Osker) Barns, Julianna (John) Trainer, and Caroline(Joe) Socezk and Cathryn (Leo) Paquette; brothers-in-law, Roger Garvis, Howard (Pat) Benoit, Gideon (Bud) Benoit, Clifford (Mary) Benoit, and Leon (Rose) Benoit. Memorial Gathering will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 4585 E. 15 Mile Rd, Barbeau, Michigan 49710. With the memorial mass to follow at 12:00 Noon. A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer, time and date to be determined. Memorial Contributions can be made out to the Holy Family Catholic Church, 4585 E. 15 Mile Rd, Barbeau, Michigan 49710, the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 E. 4th Ave, Sault Ste, Marie, Michigan 49783, and the Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783. Galer Funeral Home of Pickford, Michigan, is service the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

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Lucille Ann Kowalczak

July 29, 1918 - March 12, 2023