Marie McTevia

Marie T. McTevia

My brothers: Patrick, Richard, Dennis and I lost our mother, Marie T. McTevia on Saturday January 16, 2016. She passed comfortably in her sleep watched over by her long time caregiver, Tina Burns, who is like a sister to us. She was 100 years old.

Marie's mother, Mary, passed at 103 so I had reason and was naive enough to think my mother would live on seemingly, at least in my mind forever. My father, Vergil McTevia, Marie's beloved husband for nearly 80 years passed at 95 in 2010.

She was born and raised in Marine City Michigan in an area close to Holy Cross Catholic Church  known as the "Catholic Point " as it lies between the St. Clair and Belle rivers. With the possible exception of a short period she lived and died on the Catholic Pointe her entire life. In fact she passed in her beloved home in Newport Manor, in downtown Marine City, directly on the St. Clair River that she so dearly loved.

Our mother and father were in the same graduation class from Holy Cross Catholic School as were all of my brothers and myself. She raised her family on the Catholic Pointe and our home was 3 doors from the high school, 4 from the convent, 5 from the grade school, 6 from the church and 7 from the Holy Cross Rectory. There was never an excuse to be late for school or mass; that our mother made sure of.  Because we lived so close and mother wanted her sons to be altar boys, we inherited serving the 6:30am masses when our other friends were still sleeping.

Marie was proud of and loved her husband, Vergil, very much and quietly watched as he served as mayor of Marine City for many, many years. The McTevia family was well known in Marine City largely because our grandfather and grandmother, Andrew and Clara McTevia, owned and operated the Broadway Hotel for many years including during the "dry years" when alcohol was prohibited.

She left a legacy of love for her family that includes my brother, Patrick and his friend Jeanette, my brother, Richard and his husband, Al Ogawa, my brother, Dennis and his wife Linda and myself, James and my wife Joan; ten grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. We all believe Mothers soul is in the hands of God.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held, of course, at Our Lady on the River Parish, Holy Cross Church, Marine City at 12:00pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 with visitation at church an hour before the mass. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Marine City.

Memorials are greatly appreciated and welcomed in her memory to the Blue Water Hospice.

Arrangements were made by Bower-Rose Funeral Home, Marine City. To send condolences, visit: www.bowerrosefuneralhome.com