Maureen Ratliff

Maureen Anna Ratliff, 96, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, joined her loved ones in Heaven on April 23, 2025. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved family.

Maureen was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas Gerald and Clara McCarthy. She resided in Kalamazoo for her remaining years to be closer to her family. She was one of five children. Maureen attended Gesu Elementary School, Immaculata High School, and St. Mary Academy in Monroe, Michigan. She was awarded an Associate's Degree in Secretarial Science from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan.

Maureen began her career as a secretary at Detroit Edison Electric Company. The majority of her professional career, however, was spent at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan where she worked as an Administrative Assistant in Governmental Affairs. She retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield in the late eighties.

Maureen loved reading, socializing, travelling and hearing detailed stories about the antics of her children and grandchildren. She was deeply admired and respected by all those who had the privilege of knowing her and never wavered in her support and dedication to those she loved. Her many friends will miss her infectious smile and her unending hospitality.

Without a doubt Maureen's greatest sense of joy came from her children: Mark, Cindy (Marty) Ambrose and Joanie (Tim) Duckworth; her grandchildren: Maggie (Sean) Donovan, Liza, Greg (Anna Preuschl), Michael, Daniel (Maggie), Katie (Chet) Melot, Erin, Nicholas (Brandi), Christina (Kian) O'Donohue, Andrew; her "bonus grandchildren," Angie (Mike) Brannen, Crystal (Damon) Brush, Josh (Rebecca) Duckworth; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Maureen is predeceased by her parents, Thomas Gerald and Clara McCarthy; her siblings, Donna Carey, Gerald McCarthy and Thomas McCarthy. Along with family already listed, she is survived by her brother, George (Ginny) McCarthy of Greenwich, CT; beloved nieces Maureen, Maggie, Sheila (Buddy Kelly) and beloved nephew Leo Carey; as well as many other nieces, cousins, and friends who join us in our grief.

Maureen's deep and abiding faith in God sustained her to the very end and was her greatest gift to her family. Her daily prayers and Bible readings augmented the quality of her life and provided hope and inspiration to all of those around her. She was a life-long Catholic and loved attending church and receiving the Sacraments.

Our family owes a debt of gratitude to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They played a significant role in our education and in our faith formation. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the many retired nuns living in the Mother House in Monroe, Michigan.

Please use the following link:

https://ihmsisters.org/

Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 W Centre Ave, Portage, Michigan, where the family will receive visitors in the vestibule of the church starting at 10:00 AM. All are invited to say the Rosary starting at 9:40 AM at the church.

Please join us after Mass in Marian Hall for a light lunch and the sharing of remembrances.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.