Marian Louise "Mary Lou" Sakowski

Marian Louise “Mary Lou” Sakowski, age 73 of Grand Rapids, entered into eternal rest in the arms of Jesus on Wednesday June 18, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Esther (Jeplawy) Sakowski, and her brother, Donald Sakowski. Surviving are: her siblings Roger (Bonnie) Sakowski, Rosalyn (Jim) Clay, and Fred (Mary) Sakowski; her sister-in-law Sandra Sakowski; many nieces and nephews. The Celebration of her Life will be held Friday June 27 at 1:00 PM at Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd. NW, where the family will receive visitors on Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice. Mary Lou was special to our family and several others she encountered throughout Her life. Diagnosed with “mental retardation” at 6 months after birth, our parents struggled to raise her as normally as possible. Very few services were available in the 1950’s. Eventually, she was able to attend Lincoln School daily throughout the school year. At 15 years of age, mom and dad were forced to place Mary Lou into the state of Michigan’s institutional care. Starting in the 1970’s, the “group home” concept was developed and Mary Lou lived in several different homes in Kent County. The most recent home in Cedar Springs was where Mary Lou resided for approximately 40 years. Due to her declining health, she was transferred to Allendale Nursing Home in 2023. Mary Lou had a unique sense of humor and of anticipation. Many times, Mary Lou would inform her caregiver, Donna, that her mom was going to visit that day. And indeed that day, mom would call Donna to confirm that it was a good day for her to visit Mary Lou and take her out to lunch. Mary Lou would usually have unique stories regarding monkeys and various birds or animals that she had seen and then would laugh about it when informing us. She loved to walk out in the fields surrounding the group home, and preferred to sit out in the sun, and in the process, would have an enviable tan by mid-summer. We will miss her distinctive ways, but realize she now has a perfect mind and perfect body and no longer in pain. We praise our, and her, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven. When she greets us in heaven, Mary Lou will probably want to share some coffee with us. We are looking forward to it.

Tributes

Marian Louise "Mary Lou" Sakowski

November 27, 1951 - June 18, 2025