Clementine Marek

LIFESTORY:

There are some who view caring for their husband and children to be a menial, unrewarding task. This was not the case when it came to Clementine Marek since she saw her role as being a wife and mother to be both her highest calling and greatest blessing. In fact, even as her children grew and formed families of their own, she remained the heart and soul of her family and was actively involved in the lives of the youngest generations who have become her lasting legacy.

The twenties were a vibrant time in American culture in which the expanding business industry was fueling the pursuit of the American dream. Jazz music dominated the airwaves, books penned by authors such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald captivated readers, and American baseball and other sports became a common way for people to relax and unwind. It was in the year 1925 that Michael and Stella (Cashman) Brown were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Clementine Jean, on January 22nd in Saginaw, Michigan. Clementine was the fourth of six children in her family and was raised in the family home in which the Catholic faith was a cornerstone. She attended local schools including Saginaw High School where she excelled in track as a sprinter. Clementine was even the first woman in her high school to earn a varsity letter. As a young girl she also loved to dance.

After graduating from high school in 1942, Clementine went to work at the Lufkin Rule Company, a ruler factory located in Saginaw. These were the days of WWII when many women entered the workforce to fulfill the jobs that men had left behind while they were serving overseas. One of these servicemen was a young man by the name of John Marek. Clementine knew him from the time she was in the fifth grade as he was her brother Cletus’s best friend and he also lived in the same neighborhood. What began as friendship between Clementine and John eventually blossomed into true love. They were married on September 27, 1947 after John was discharged from active duty as a Navy pilot.

It wasn’t long before the newlyweds welcomed six children into their hearts and home. Clementine completely immersed herself into caring for her children including Kenneth, Susan, Colleen, Nancy, John, and Patrick. Although she also worked for over 30 years in the banquet department at the Holiday Inn where she met a US president, professional athletes and celebrities, Clementine’s passion was in caring for the needs of her husband and children. She even managed the six children and the home alone while John continued his career as a military pilot in the Naval Reserves and was away one weekend every month and 2 weeks every year for 25 years. Clementine had such a special way of making each member of her family feel unconditionally loved in their own unique way. She saw her sons through the Portage Central High School football program, and was of course their biggest fan. She created many family memories by creating a home that was the site of countless holiday and birthday gatherings. As the children grew and ventured out on their own they were always welcomed home, as were their friends often with a homemade meal, and most of the children even stayed locally just to maintain the close relationship she formed with them.

In addition to caring for her family and fulfilling her duties at work, Clementine enjoyed other activities as well. She was a founding member of St. Catherine of Siena where she continued to immerse herself in the Catholic faith that had been such a significant part of her life since she was a young girl. Clementine was also in the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Post 207 in Portage. She loved current events would read the newspaper and watch the local and national news every day. Clementine loved to garden tending to both her flowers and her vegetables and she often did so while listening to the play-by-play of her beloved Tigers on her earphones. If she wasn’t wearing her earphones the radio or television was sure to have the Tigers, Red Wings, the Lions or the University of Michigan playing. Clementine enjoyed being in her kitchen where she liked baking tasty sweetbreads such as banana nut and zucchini among many others. She was also known for her cookies, homemade soups and spaghetti too.

Nothing could have thrilled Clementine more than when she became a grandmother. She was always so proud of her children and that same pride extended to her grandchildren as well. Clementine loved fussing over her grandchildren and wouldn’t miss a sporting event or activity of any kind for anything in the world whether it was little league or college sports. Surrounded by her family was always her favorite way to spend her time.

In so many ways, Clementine Marek brought such love to the world around her. She was kind and compassionate, and loved caring for the family she adored. Clementine was the matriarch, the rock of her family who enjoyed spoiling her family members with meals that she lovingly prepared as an outpouring of her heart that knew no bounds. She was blessed to share nearly her entire lifetime with her true love and the generations that sprang forth from that love were her greatest source of pride and joy. Although her family and friends now say goodbye, the legacy of love and devotion that Clementine leaves behind will live on in their hearts and lives forever.

Clementine J. Marek of Portage died November 13, 2009. Clementine’s family includes her husband, retired Navy pilot John; her children, Susan (Dennis Austin) Schau, Colleen Fenner, Nancy (Keith) Elwood, John (Sherry) Marek, and Patrick (Bethany) Marek; her grandchildren, Kristi (Jeff) Johnson, Jennifer Schau, Alison and Bradley Marek, Scott Hoyt; her great-granddaughter, Lauren Johnson; her brother, Bob Brown; and many other relatives. Clementine was preceded in death by her son Ken Marek, a Vietnam veteran who served 2 tours of duty, in 2005 and her siblings Cletus, James, John and Bernadine Brown. Visit with Clementine’s family and friends on Monday from 4:00-8:00 at Life Story Funeral Home, Portage; 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600) where a rosary will be said Monday at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church; 1150 W. Centre, Portage. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to the American Legion Post 207.