Shirley Faculak

Shirley M. Faculak, 92, of Charlevoix, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2015, surrounded by the love and comfort of her daughters Mary H. Faculak and Virginia Marme both of Charlevoix, and special friends, Jack Uhrick and John Uhrick. Shirley was born March 2, 1923, on a warm, sunny spring day in the farmhouse of her family's farm on Atkins Road in Petoskey, Mich. She was the eldest of five children born to her parents, Charles and Margaret (Koboski) Lund.

Upon her marriage to Anthony W. “Tony” Faculak, she joined him on his family's farm in Charlevoix where they were second generation on the Faculak dairy farm. Shirley always loved being outside. She worked alongside Tony in the hayfields, garden, cattle barns, and tended to her chickens and geese. Shirley also found time to cook great meals and was known for her delicious cinnamon rolls, donuts, breads, pies and cakes. She and her daughter, Mary teamed up to make homemade pizzas for family and friends birthday parties for many years. Shirley loved working in the garden and had a green thumb with plants and flowers. She enjoyed her little side business of selling eggs and vegetables to many special customers who became life-long friends.

Like her husband, she loved company on the farm and enjoyed meeting new people. No one was ever a stranger at the farm and there was always room for one more at the table. She delighted in sharing Sunday dinners with great conversation and laughter. Shirley was a consummate care-giver taking care of her father-in-law, Charles for years on the farm; her mother Margaret over the years in the winter; and later, she and her daughter, Mary, were caregivers to Tony as his health declined. While she never rode horses, she enjoyed taking care of Mary's many horses, and chose to stay home to tend to the farm when Mary and Tony were on the summer horse show circuit every weekend. Shirley loved the summer haying season on the farm. She always had a smile and a glass of cold iced tea or water for the hauling crews. Shirley loved attending Saint Mary's Church for Saturday evening mass. She and Tony cherished their many church friends and loved getting together with them after mass for coffee and donuts or a visit to McDonald's.

For the past twelve years after suffering two strokes, she was confined to a wheelchair and not able to speak. However, she never lost her will to live and endured her challenge with grace and dignity. Shirley is now free of her ailments and is among her family and friends who have gone before her.

Much appreciation is extended to the aids and nurses at Boulder Park Terrace for the care and support over the years. Special thanks to special friend Lillian Left and her team and the priests of Saint Mary's Church over the years for their weekly visits and monthly masses.

Funeral services for Shirley will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Saint Mary's Church in Charlevoix. Visitation to be at 10AM, Mass at 11AM, with final rest at Saint Mary's Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be directed to Saint Mary's Church – Health Ministry, 1003 Bridge Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720.