MARY ANN GAFFKA,
83, of South Lyon died peacefully Thursday, June 7, 2018 in Ascension Providence Hospital, Novi Campus. She was born at home in Jewell County, Kansas, arriving in the midst of a dust storm on November 27, 1934 the first of three daughters born to Clarence Thomas and Velma May (McDaniel) Stevenson. She married Anthony John Gaffka February 16, 1957 in St. Mary Catholic Church Rectory. He died March 16, 1999.
Mary Ann attended Novi and New Hudson schools before entering South Lyon High School as a freshman, she graduated with the class of 1952. She studied at the former Mt. Carmel College of Nursing in Detroit. With a caring heart she wanted to help people. She worked for 24 years helping children learn to read at Dolson Elementary in New Hudson. She lovingly cared for her husband during his illness and her parents as they aged and were in need of her special touch. She was a life member of the South Lyon VFW Auxiliary #2502 and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Lyon for many years. Mary Ann enjoyed her many friends who she met through activities at the Senior Center, Church and throughout her many life adventures.
Mary Ann is survived by her son: Patrick (Anne) Gaffka of Westland; Leighanne Crawford of Evergreen, AL; grandchildren: Christie (Ian) Boykin of Chandler AZ, Mitchell Gaffka of San Tan Valley, AZ, Shenandoah Gaffka of Chandler, AZ, John Gaffka of Westland, Emily Gaffka of Westland, Sarah Gaffka of Westland; great grandchildren: Cheyanne and Ryan of Chandler AZ, sister, Ellen Joyce (Charles) Maltese of Woodland, CA. Mary Ann is also survived by Tony’s sister, Pat Green; brother, Arnold Gaffka; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael; sister, Vera Mae Hock; Tony’s father, John W. Gaffka; brother, Charles (Ila Mae) Gaffka.
Funeral service will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Lyon with Rev. Stan Tokarski officiating. Mary Ann will be buried with her husband in South Lyon Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mary Ann will be: John Gaffka, Sue Massuch, Adam Kranz, Arnold Gaffka. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or South Lyon Senior Center towards a pool chair lift. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 3 to 8 Friday, June 15, 2018 in Phillips Funeral Home, South Lyon
7 p.m. Scripture Service, Friday, June 15, 2018 in Phillips Funeral Home, South Lyon
10 to 11 a.m. June 16, 2018, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Lyon
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
83, of South Lyon died peacefully Thursday, June 7, 2018 in Ascension Providence Hospital, Novi Campus. She was born at home in Jewell County, Kansas, arriving in the midst of a dust storm on November 27, 1934 the first of three daughters born to Clarence Thomas and Velma May (McDaniel) Stevenson. She married Anthony John Gaffka February 16, 1957 in St. Mary Catholic Church Rectory. He died March 16, 1999.
Mary Ann attended Novi and New Hudson schools before entering South Lyon High School as a freshman, she graduated with the class of 1952. She studied at the former Mt. Carmel College of Nursing in Detroit. With a caring heart she wanted to help people. She worked for 24 years helping children learn to read at Dolson Elementary in New Hudson. She lovingly cared for her husband during his illness and her parents as they aged and were in need of her special touch. She was a life member of the South Lyon VFW Auxiliary #2502 and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Lyon for many years. Mary Ann enjoyed her many friends who she met through activities at the Senior Center, Church and throughout her many life adventures.
Mary Ann is survived by her son: Patrick (Anne) Gaffka of Westland; Leighanne Crawford of Evergreen, AL; grandchildren: Christie (Ian) Boykin of Chandler AZ, Mitchell Gaffka of San Tan Valley, AZ, Shenandoah Gaffka of Chandler, AZ, John Gaffka of Westland, Emily Gaffka of Westland, Sarah Gaffka of Westland; great grandchildren: Cheyanne and Ryan of Chandler AZ, sister, Ellen Joyce (Charles) Maltese of Woodland, CA. Mary Ann is also survived by Tony’s sister, Pat Green; brother, Arnold Gaffka; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael; sister, Vera Mae Hock; Tony’s father, John W. Gaffka; brother, Charles (Ila Mae) Gaffka.
Funeral service will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Lyon with Rev. Stan Tokarski officiating. Mary Ann will be buried with her husband in South Lyon Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mary Ann will be: John Gaffka, Sue Massuch, Adam Kranz, Arnold Gaffka. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or South Lyon Senior Center towards a pool chair lift. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 3 to 8 Friday, June 15, 2018 in Phillips Funeral Home, South Lyon
7 p.m. Scripture Service, Friday, June 15, 2018 in Phillips Funeral Home, South Lyon
10 to 11 a.m. June 16, 2018, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Lyon
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
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