Seraphine "Sarah" Tomczak

Seraphine "Sarah" Tomczak, 80, of Sanford, formerly of Auburn and Gaylord, was surrounded by her children when she went home to join her Lord and family on April 24, 2006, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born the daughter of Stanley and Mary (Wodzikowski) Burzynski on Oct. 29, 1925, in Bay City. She married Benjamin Joseph Tomczak on Oct. 4, 1947 in Bay City. They were married for 55 years, and he predeceased her on March 19, 2003.

She is survived by seven children, Sue (Carl) Thomas of Freeland, Robert (Diane) Tomczak of Midland, Laurie (Tim) Holmes of Sanford, Dennis (Sandy) Tomczak of Marion, Nancy (David) Watson of Harper Woods, Sharon (Tom) Leonard of Grand Rapids, and Benjamin Jr. (Marlene) Tomczak of Midland; grandchildren, Brian (Denise) Thomas of Freeland, Joy (Jesse) Stewart of Midland, Samantha and Derek Watson, Sara Holmes, and Kirsten and Amber Tomczak; and great-grandchildren, Nathan and Brandon Thomas, and Haleigh and Carson Stewart. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Kato of Haslett, and Evarista Gordon of Bay City; and a brother, Leonard (Aileen) Burzynski of Bay City. She was predeceased by sisters, Delphine Kujawa, Katherine Kosnik-Kujawa, Edith Tomczak; and a brother, Benjamin Burzynski. She is survived by brother and sisters-in-law, Bertha Burzynski of Bay City, Sophie Zentner of Orlando, Helen Kierpiec, Bernard and Ann Pfenninger of Midland, and Joseph Tomczak of Linwood.

During World War II she served her country as a 'Rosie the Riveter' at a parts plant in Detroit. After raising her family, she worked for several years at Wolverine Knitting Mills in Bay City. Mom will always be remembered for her great courage in adversity. She loved her family dearly and was always making something for someone. She leaves a family that will miss her tremendously, but we will live each day with the courage she showed us.

The family wishes to thank the MidMichigan Visiting Nurses, MidMichigan Hospice and Dr. Michael Hurtubise and his staff for their help and support through the years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2006, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Sanford, Fr. James Wm. Bessert officiating, with burial in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeland. Seraphine's family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St. on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. A Christian Vigil service will take place 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider MidMichigan Hospice or MidMichigan Visiting Nurses Association. If you are unable to visit with the family in person, condolences may be sent through www.waresmithwoolever.com