Marie Vicarie

There were many ways in which Marie Vicarie was such a special woman, but it was her warm and sunny demeanor for which she will be remembered most. She was a woman of faith who lived an active life well into her eighties. Marie was blessed to share more than 65 years with her one true love with whom she created the family who were her greatest source of pride and joy. She lived a long and fulfilling life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want that were all experiences that shaped Marie into the extraordinary woman who was deeply loved.

The 1920s were a time unlike any other in America as the prosperity that followed WWI fueled people who were looking to celebrate their good fortune by having a good time. Baseball grew in popularity and Broadway reached an all-time peak while jazz music dominated the radio waves from coast to coast. This was a time of great celebration in the family of Irvin and Esther (Anderson) Rogers as they welcomed their daughter, Marie Esther, into their hearts and home on March 8, 1921. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, located in western Michigan along the banks of the Grand River as the sixth of eight children in her family. Marie’s father was a certified public accountant while her mother was a homemaker who was certainly kept quite busy with her large family. Throughout her life, Marie enjoyed singing and as a young girl, she sang with her brothers at the local mission. Marie attended local schools including South High from which she graduated in the late thirties.

While visiting Battle Creek with some girlfriends one fateful day, Marie made the acquaintance of the young man with whom she would write an eloquent love story. He was a serviceman and his name was Vincent Vicarie. He was gathered with a group of his buddies at the USO when Marie and Vincent couldn’t help but notice one another. Vincent had just returned from Hawaii and from the moment they met, there was a bit of an attraction that neither could deny. A whirlwind romance ensued and after dating for four months, the couple found themselves deeply in love with a desire to make their love official. They were united in marriage on December 31, 1942, ready to begin the next chapter in their lives.

Since Vincent was still in the military, the young newlyweds moved around a bit based on where he was stationed until he was discharged from WWII in 1945. Together the couple was blessed with two children, Karen and Vincent. Marie took superb care of her family and always prepared mouth-watering meals for them. She was thrilled when her children established families of their own, providing her with the opportunity to be a grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren: Rob, Rebecca, Brenda, and Jennifer.

Through the years, Marie enjoyed a variety of things that kept her busy. She loved to golf and did so until she was 84 years old. Marie was also quite a bowler who regularly bowled a 200, but much to her dismay was never able to make it to 300. She liked to sew, knit, and make crafts, and her family treasured the handmade items she created for them through the years. Marie worked as a secretary at the Kroger Company for over 20 years. For the past 25 years, Marie and Vincent split their time between living in Michigan and living in Florida during the winter months. Marie was a member of North Park Reformed Church, Aberdeen Reformed Church and First Presbyterian Church of Haines City. She collected Hummels and Snowbabies, too.

With so much love to give, Marie Vicarie brought light and life to the world around her each and every day. She was kind and giving, and she tenderly cared for the family she treasured above all else. Whether she was making a gift for a loved one, bowling a great game, or singing in the church choir, Marie laced her every thought, word, and deed with just the right amount of love and grace. She leaves behind countless memories that will be forever cherished by those she leaved behind. Marie will be dearly missed.

Marie E. Vicarie of Kalamazoo died on Sunday, April 18, 2010. Marie’s family includes her husband of 67 years, Vincent J. Vicarie; two children, Karen (Larry) Hamelink, of Grandville and Vincent Todd (Anita) Vicarie, of Greenville; four grandchildren: Rob (Linda), Rebecca, Brenda (Lee) and Jennifer; and 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Lois Tigchon. The family will receive friends on Friday, from 4-7 p.m. and Sat from 10-11 a.m. at the North Park Reformed Church on 1316 Barney, Kalamazoo. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the same location. The family is being assisted by Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell (685-5881). Please visit Marie’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign her memory book online before coming to the church, leave a favorite memory or photo, or make a memorial donation to the Smile Train.