Rose Marie Druffel

Rose Marie (Pionke) Druffel, 94, passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, as a resident of Whitney Place Memory Care in Natick, Mass.

Born April 8, 1931, as the youngest of 11 children, and raised on School Street in Chicago to parents John and Clara (Damptz) Pionke, she was affectionately referred to as "Babe," a nickname that stuck with her for life.

Rose Marie graduated from Schurz High School in 1949 and is listed in that yearbook on the "Notables" page.

She married in 1950 and raised four children in the Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago as a member of the St. Pascal's Parish, while also establishing a career with Time Inc., from which she eventually retired. Family outings often involved visiting Michigan relatives and enjoying boating activities.

In 1987, she made a bold move and relocated herself to a home she purchased in Union Pier, near three of her sisters. While still within commuting distance of her younger children, she was also surrounded by many loving nieces and nephews that were always available to help out their "Aunt Babe."

For the following 25-plus years, she seemed most happy in Michigan, which was apparent by the lovely landscaping and flower gardens outside paying tribute to her green thumb, as well as the jigsaw puzzle and large dining tables indoors used to keep her mind sharp and for hosting holiday meals.

In 2014, as her health began to fail, she moved to the Framingham, Mass., area to be near her oldest daughter.

Rose Marie Druffel was preceded in death by all her siblings, as well as her son, Navy Commander Terry (Linda) Druffel (1955-2022).

She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Bruno) Druffel, daughter, Kris Druffel and son, Tim (Jo Ellen) Druffel, as well as seven loving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Fittingly, her ashes will be returned and laid to rest in the state where she was happiest and near three of the sisters that preceded her; at noon on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Lakeside Cemetery, Chikaming Township.