Marjory Veliquette

Marjory Ann Veliquette

Marjory Ann Veliquette died April 20, 2013 peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Born February 3, 1944 in Lowell, Michigan to Donald A. and Ellura V. (Frost) McPherson, Marjory was an outstanding 4-H Club member, and received her bachelor of science in textiles and merchandise management from Michigan State University. She was an International Farm Youth Exchange delegate to Nepal in 1966, and worked at Herpolsheimer's Department Store in Grand Rapids from 1967-72.

She married Norman R. Veliquette on August 10, 1969 in Kent County. In 1972, the couple moved to Elk Rapids where Marjory became the human resource and quality control manager in a new cherry processing firm, Great Lakes Packing Company, a position in which she distinguished herself until the end. Skilled in sewing and crafts, she sewed thousands of costumes and dresses for school plays, bazaars, weddings, priests garments, Rotary Shows, and beauty pageants. She led a 4-H Club for 30 years, having proteges become state winners and National Cherry Queens.

She recruited innumerable pageant contestants, international students, and host families. She published several cookbooks. Her management and leadership skills benefited many church dinners and charitable giving campaigns. For many years she led Women of the Heart at Sacred Heart Church, the Rotary Partner's Christmas Is For Kids project, and Village Flower Box Planting. She founded and directed Friends of Peterman Auditorium at Elk Rapids High School.

Marjory is survived by her husband Norman Veliquette, son Roger (Erin Rohrberg), daughters Sara McGuire (Patrick), and M. Judith Wonacott (Paul); seven grandchildren: Oliver, Julien, and Abigail Veliquette, Emma and Ryan McGuire, Kathryn and Benjamin Wonacott; sisters Susan Smith (Ken), Jenett Patrick (Duane), Elizabeth Knox, twin Mary Gaffield (Chris); brothers M. Peter McPherson (Joanne), D. Alec McPherson (Karen), William G. "Mac" McPherson (Pinky); Veliquette in-laws Gene Veliquette (Linda), Dean Veliquette (Sharon), Shirley Cisneros, Trudy Cullimore (Mike), Neva Veliquette, Jan Veliquette (Linda Rose), Jim Veliquette (Christy), Colleen Fryer, Jon Veliquette, Toni Morrison (Duncan), her mother-in-law Marie Veliquette and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her father-in-law B.C. Veliquette. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 24, from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, April 25, from 2-4 p.m. in the Social Hall of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church in Elk Rapids. Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25 in the Church. Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, Rev. Robert J. Zuchowski presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Miss Elk Rapids Scholarship Fund at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation for a scholarship in Marjory's name, to Sacred Heart Church in Elk Rapids, or to a charity of choice. Arrangements are being handled by Mortensen Funeral Homes, Central Lake, MI www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.