Margaret Ann Etienne

Margaret Ann Etienne, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and educator, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the age of 87. A career long teacher, she had a profound impact on thousands of students throughout her career. She was an intelligent, accomplished and kind soul that will be missed by family and friends alike.
Born on July 4, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, Margaret was raised on LaBelle Street in Highland Park with her two brothers and two sisters.
Margaret graduated from Highland Park High School in 1956, then attended Highland Park Junior College for two years, later transferring to Michigan State University where she earned a BA in Social Science in 1961. She taught in the Brighton, MI school district from the Fall of 1963 to the Spring of 1967. She later went on to complete a Master of Accounting from Central Michigan University in 1980.
Margaret welcomed four sons with her former husband, Birt Etienne (d. 2024), and dedicated decades to raising them in Ann Arbor, MI; San Diego, CA; and Petoskey, MI. She returned to the classroom in 1981as an accounting professor at Central Michigan University, where she also served as an academic counselor. Her passion for teaching and mentoring students earned her several awards and widespread admiration.
From 1984 until her retirement in 2001, Margaret continued her career at Ferris State University, where she taught Intermediate Accounting, advised the Accounting Club, chaired several university-wide committees, and served as Chairperson for two Presidential Search Committees. In the late 1980's she became a Full Professor at Ferris. She was a respected member of the faculty, known for her integrity, insight, and leadership.
Margaret had a wide array of interests. These interests include blanket making for children and adults alike, baking bread and watching old movies. She volunteered her time at various organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of Big Rapids and the Mecosta County chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She also generously supported many causes dear to her such as the Wise Against Violence. She valued her time spent with friends and family. She enjoyed international travel in her retired years. Her sharp wit, kind heart, and intellectual curiosity left an impression on all who knew her.
Margaret is survived by her four sons: David (Carmen), John (Melissa), Robert (Kathleen), and Michael (Deena); her ten grandchildren: Andrew (Erica), Eleanor Vels (Jonathan), Sara Caughey (Micah), Ian, Miriam, Charlotte Etienne-Molony (Brendan), Emory, Natalie, Harrison, and Louis; and her four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Luke, Eli, and Jack. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Presnell (Bob), brother Richard Wonacott (Leah), sister-in-law Dorothy Wonacott, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Barbara Wonacott, her siblings Robert Wonacott and Mary Jo Agbabian (Vahagn) and her nephew Christopher Presnell.
A celebration will be held on Friday September 26, 2025, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the Jack Blesma Pavilion located at the Grace Memorial Harbor in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Family and friends are invited to gather for a luncheon and an afternoon of stories, memories, and fellowship.
Margaret will be laid to rest at Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids, near the intersection of S. Elk Lake Road and US-131.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wise Against Violence, PO Box 1249, Big Rapids, MI 49307, or Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity, 18387 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307, or to a charity of your choice. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to all who have supported them during this time.