Marie Adeline Sedmak

Marie was born on March 25, 1925, in Rowhedge, Essex, England to Alfred Ernest and Emmeline Ellen Edwards. Marie's teen and young adult years were spent in England during WWII where, after finishing school while living on her Aunt Minnie's farm, she worked with the British Police and later served as a WREN in the Women's Royal Naval Service. During her time in the Navy, she served in the Signals Distribution Office located within the tunnel systems under Dover Castle in Kent. She was very proud to be a veteran who served her country during WWII.
It was during her time working with the British Police that she was first introduced to the love of her life, Henry, who was a Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps at US Army Air Force Base in Debden, the home of the US 4th Fighter Group. They were married in Saffron Walden, Essex, England in April of 1945. After the war, Henry was sent back to the States and to his hometown of Detroit. Marie was required to stay behind as she was expecting their first child, Michael, who was born in March 1946. Marie and Michael were finally able to join Henry and traveled to New York on the SS John Erickson in December of that year. Marie and Henry had four more beloved children, Timothy, Ann, Sally and Mark.
The family lived in Detroit for many years except for a couple of years in the early 1950's when Henry was called back into the Air Force during the Korean War and was sent to serve in Great Falls, Montana. They returned to Detroit in 1952 and resided there until 1971 when Henry retired from the Detroit Police Department. They moved to Brighton where Marie remained until her death. Henry pre-deceased her at the age of 92 in 2010 after they were married for over 65 wonderful, loving years.
Marie is survived by her children, Michael (Mary Ann), Ann (Mark) Edwards, Sally (Ric) Perry and Mark (Theresa). Her beloved son Timothy pre-deceased her in 2015. She also leaves behind her dear daughter-in-law, Claudia and grandchildren, Leslie (Tom) Goolsby, Michael (Sarah), Jennifer (Gary) Parker, Erin (Gian Benucci), Henry, Emmelyn (Joseph) Leone, Colin (Ashley) Edwards, David (Jacquelyn) Edwards, Marcus (Morgan) and Julia and also her ten great-grandchildren, Brooke, Thomas, Michael, Adrianne, Jane, Joseph III, Sofia, Reagan, Charlotte, and Bodhi. She also has had many wonderful step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her sister, Selby Westropp and brother-in-law, Michael Westropp in England. She is also survived by her nephews, Maxim (Lois) Edwards, Edward (Jill) Westropp in England and also nephew, Howard Parker and niece, Donna Hinton.
Marie also leaves behind many other beloved extended family members, 'second' daughters, friends, former neighbors, and of course, her Independence Village family.
Marie dedicated her life to her family and was passionate about gardening and caring for animals, with a particular fondness for cats. Marie was also an expert knitter and was known for the beautiful sweaters and booties that she knitted for the babies in her life. She won the First Place Award for best knitted doll outfit in a contest by the Detroit Goodfellows. She loved having her family with her during the holidays, sharing expansive, wonderful meals together.
She and Henry were avid travelers and visited most states in the Continental US and many of our National Parks. They also did extensive travel in Europe and of course, visiting family and friends in Slovakia and England.
Marie was never one to relish being the center of attention and enjoyed life best from a good observational post. She could write the most inventive, humorous poems and would bring laughter as she read them in her lovely British accent. Despite her challenging childhood during the war in England, she was amazed that her children and their families stayed geographically and emotionally close to her. Above all, she loved her family.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Independence Village in Brighton who provided support and loving care to Marie for many years. We are also grateful for the CorsoCare Caregivers and Hospice staff who have been such a blessing to her and to her family in the last days of her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Marie's name to Michigan Humane or to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to honor her love for animals and children. Please see links below for online donations and mailing addresses.
A Memorial Service will take place at 11:30AM on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Lynch & Sons, 404 E. Liberty St., Milford, MI 48381. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 10:00AM.
For further information, please contact, Lynch & Sons at 248-684-6645.