Marjorie L. Pavelich

Marjorie L. Pavelich passed away on Saturday, April 25th at her home in Big Sky, Montana. Her husband Marty and daughter Lynn were by her side. She is survived by her husband Marty and their three children Lynn (Rob) Maxwell of Horton Bay, MI; Lee Hofley of Bellevue, ID; and Andrew (Nicole) Hofley of Lantana, TX. She had three loving grandchildren Lauren (Travis) Whalen of Rumson, NJ; Samantha and Blake Hofley of Lantana, TX. Marjorie was proud of her two great grandchildren and delighted in FaceTime visits with McAllister and Lucy Whalen of Rumson, NJ. Marjorie will also be greatly missed by her younger brother Gary Malone of Boyne City, MI. Marjorie was of the “old school” where women were the matriarchs of the family. In her case it was out of necessity as a single mother for seven years. Her children were “blessed” by her leadership and singular focus, as well as her tenacious Irish will to do things “properly”. Born December 17, 1930 at the Cottage Hospital in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Marjorie was raised on Detroit’s east side, graduating from Denby High School and attending Wayne State University. Marjorie married Phillip A. Hofley on June 6, 1953, and built a home in Birmingham, MI. Phil passed away in February 1965. Marjorie married Martin N. Pavelich on August 11, 1971 at St. Alan’s Church in Birmingham, MI. Marty and Marjorie raised their children as avid winter and summer sports enthusiasts. From water skiing and sailing on Lake Charlevoix to skiing 50 days every winter at Boyne Mountain. Marjorie and Marty moved to Big Sky in 1993 where they quickly assimilated into the Big Sky community. They were instrumental in establishing the Big Sky Chapel, breaking ground on Mother’s Day, 1998 and dedicating the Chapel for worship one year later. Marjorie remained an energetic custodian of the Chapel’s rock garden. A voracious reader and family librarian, Marjorie shared her love of books and recommended reading lists with friends and family alike. To stay well informed Marjorie became proficient in the use of electronic technology, moving quickly from, “I couldn’t possible learn how to use a computer” to, “I need to reboot the router my Wi-Fi is down.” Using her Internet skills, she mastered Ancestry.com tracing her family’s genealogy back to the 17th Century and in the process, compiling the information required to become a member of the Daughters of the America Revolution (DAR). She was an accomplished photographer and calligrapher; it was not uncommon for her to be asked to pen invitations and to provide photographs, when exhibiting a sense of reverence for the tradition of the event was of paramount importance to the celebrants. Memorial contributions may be made in Marjorie’s name to the Big Sky Chapel, 510 Little Coyote Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716. A memorial service will be held at a later date this summer at the Big Sky Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com