Marquerite Marie Callaghan (Dombrowski)

Marguerite Marie Callaghan (Dombrowski) An amazing woman, mother, grandmother and wife, Marguerite Callaghan, passed away peacefully at home on August 31, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Grand Rapids, MI on February 1, 1937, Marguerite was the oldest child of Anne and Isadore Dombrowski. She attended Marywood Academy and Davenport College. Always one to embrace adventure Marguerite married a Scotsman, Alexander Callaghan, and the two ventured off to Europe for one year where they studied French at the University of Grenoble, France and Spanish at the University of Madrid, Spain and collected a host of adventurous and comical stories. Upon returning to Grand Rapids they raised five children while she worked as a medical transcriptionist, remained active in her community, and obtained a degree in History and Spanish from Aquinas College. Marguerite was the president of the local chapter of La Leche League and a strong advocate of mother-child bonding. She served on city committees to support downtown resurgence as well as community diversity. She frequently contacted political leaders to promote public transportation, preservation of land, and the idea of establishing a Native American museum in Grand Rapids near the city’s Norton Mounds to honor its Native American heritage. Marguerite’s idea of relaxing was going to museums on African heritage and attending blues/jazz concerts. She and her husband studied many languages together over the years and Marguerite mastered three: Polish, French, and Spanish. Marguerite and her husband were world travelers, visiting over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America during their 58 years together. Her favorite was Morocco as she found it the most culturally different. She and her husband Alexander visited Scotland numerous times visiting relatives and exploring the British Isles together with her brother-in-law Patrick and his wife Christine. Additionally, they traveled to Poland twice to visit extended family. Family get-togethers at their condo on the shores of Lake Michigan in South Haven and the yearly vacation at their timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico brought her great joy. She loved to cook and enjoyed hosting large family gatherings and parties. In her later years Marguerite worked as an EEO Counselor/Investigator for the USPS and taught English as a Second Language to Bosnian and Mexican immigrants all while personally caring for her ailing mother. She was an active member of her church choir and volunteered for many church events. Marguerite was a devoted mother and grandmother and leaves a legacy of lifelong learning. Until two weeks before she was diagnosed with ALS she religiously attended fitness classes, sometimes twice a day, and remained mentally strong and positive throughout. Marguerite is survived by her husband Alexander, her children Maureen Hammond (Tom), Brendan (Sabine), Moira Callaghan (Joe Krider), Colleen Paiz (Joe), and Brian (Josi), and 12 grandchildren. She also leaves behind two brothers, Bill and Bob (Mary), many cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. She was ever grateful to her sister-in-law Sarah Winters for sponsoring her husband’s immigration to the U.S. Alexander was her “number one caregiver.” His immense love and devotion exemplified the words “in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the many relatives and friends who supported her and them during her illness, including her many caregivers and most notably Faith Hospice’s Monica Myers and Kathy Babcock. Her family will receive visitors on Thursday September 8, 2016 from 7 to 9 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday September 9, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 2510 Richmond St. N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Friends may also meet the family at the church one hour prior to the Mass. No donations or flowers please.

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Marquerite Marie Callaghan (Dombrowski)

February 1, 1937 - August 31, 2016