Margaret Florip

Margaret S. Florip, age 88, of Rogers City,
died Thursday, January 10, 2013, at
Tendercare Health Center Rogers City.

She was born October 4, 1924 in Rogers City
to the late Simon & Agnes (Wcisel) Smolinski.

Margaret attended St. Ignatius Catholic School and graduated from
Rogers City High School in 1942 as valedictorian of her class. After
graduation she worked as a clerk at the local draft board during
World War II. She then was a secretary for the Farmers Home
Administration, and later a bookkeeper and clerk at the Rog Isle Shop.
She also worked through the years as an election judge.

After his liberation from a German POW camp and pending his discharge
from the Army Air Corps, Margaret married Jack Florip on July 21, 1945,
in a ceremony performed by Rev. C. T. Skowronski at the rectory of

St. Ignatius Church, Margaret was an active lifelong member of
St. Ignatius Church and its Altar Society, including organizing parish
dinners and directing the annual CSA fundraising drive. As their family
grew, Margaret became an involved mother at St. Ignatius School. Her
and Jack’s raising their children in the Church, and Margaret’s lifelong
practice of daily mass attendance and other acts of faith, no doubt led to
Jack’s conversion to Catholicism late in life. Jack preceded Margaret in
death on July 10, 1993.

During the last years of her life, Margaret was a resident of Tendercare
Health Center Rogers City, under the loving care of all of the staff and
volunteers. Margaret’s family greatly appreciates their professional and
family-like care, and respect, for Margaret.

Margaret’s greatest joy came from being a dedicated homemaker and a
wonderful mother and grandmother. Known as “Aunt Margaret” to her
many nicces, nephews, and their children, and to many others in the
Rogers City community, her home was always open to visitors and
company, with cookies and apple pie always at the ready.

Margaret is survived by her children:
David (Margarct) of Lakeville, Minnesota;
Thomas (Janet) of Southport, North Carolina; James (Ann) of Alpena;
and Jeanne (Dave) Howard of Bad Axe;
eight grandchildren: Brian (Shannon) Florip, Robin (Jesse) Carlson,
Jessica (Rick) Sears, Daniel (Stephanie) Florip, Thomas (Bernadette) Florip,
John (Risa) Florip, Kristine (Brent) Warner, and Jaclyn Howard;
seven great-grandchildren: Paige, Meghan, and Chloe Florip,
Eleanor and Madeline Carlson, Luke and Jack Sears, Adam Florip, and
Kate Warner;
four brothers: Marvin (Pat) of Troy; Myron (Nancy) of Monroe;
Delmar (Ruth) of Freeland; and Paul (Jan) of Rogers City;
sisters-in-law: Angie Smolinski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin;

Betty Smolinski of Rogers City; and Mary Lou Hoffman of St. Clair;
brothers-in-law: Norman Quaine and Mark (Joyce) Florip,
both of Rogers City;
and many nicces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack;
siblings Raymond, Louise Streich, Sylvester “Joe”, Edna Quaine, Larry,
and an infant sister, Ann;
brother-in-law Ivan Streich; and
brother- and sister-in-law Jerry & Betty Florip.

Friends may call at Beck Funeral Home in Rogers City on Sunday,
January 13, between 2:00 and 8:00 PM, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.
Visitation will continue at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 14, at
St. Ignatius Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by
Rev. James Fitzpatrick at 11:00 AM.

Memorials may be made to St. Ignatius School.