Marialyce Canonie

October 20th, 1919 - January 30th, 2010

Marialyce's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Marialyce here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Jerry and Family

I can just vision our parents all together again in heaven sitting on lawn chairs on a warm day having a cocktail in the old Lake Court setting. I imagine them being able to talk catch up and relax and look down at thier 14 children and all thier familes and smile and be proud of what a great job they did. God Bless them for taking care of all of us so well. Man did we grow up fortunate. When my Dad passed recently i had the
chance to go over and visit with your Mom, she talekd and laughed about some our familes great times. Our parents were some of the few left of the "Greatest Generation" Our prayers, thoughts and love are with all the Canonie's for the loss of thier wonderfull Mother. If you need anything let us know.
Charlie O. & Family

Charlie O., Cheryl, Justin & Tyler Hamlin

To Jerry,John,Jim,Tony Jr,Patty,and Anne; Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your families at the loss of your Mother. I will always remember her kindness and generosity,the many trips to Ft.Lauderdale in the fall and spring bringing her Lincolns safely to their summer or winter home, and being the only "kid" authorized to drive her beloved Avanti! Tami and I will remember our trip to Calder Race Course when your Mother and Tami were picking the winning horses by name, and my handicapping ability with the "Daily Racing Form" was for naught. The children of our community are sledding down the "Coast Guard Hill" today, and can enjoy the Marialyce Canonie Maritime Museum Library because of her generosity to our community. Please let us know if we can be of help at this time. You are in out thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Fred and Tamara Kick.

Fred & Tamara Kick and Family

I was so saddened at the news of Marialyce's passing. My heartfelt sympathy goes to each of you- Anne, Tony, Jim, Patty, John, and Jerry. What a tremendous life your mom had! She impacted everyone in South Haven in such a positive way! I have many fond memories of being a "part" of your family in the 60's and spending a lot of time over at your home. Marialyce mentored me then and also in later years as a member of American Association of University Women. We had many special luncheons together! I will miss her very much. Love and God bless all of you, Kathy

Kathy Haines Dailey

Dear Cousins,

It is hard to think of South Haven without Uncle Tony and now your mother. I remember making the trip there from Chicago as a little girl and how much I loved seeing the world from the “other side” of Lake Michigan. Your parents seemed larger than life then and I think to all who knew them they will remain that way. My most vivid memory of your mother is having her show me her paintings – this was long ago. I was so impressed with her creativity and vitality. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Cousin Angie

Angie Just

To the entire Canonie Family,

I had the pleasure of knowing all of you and your parents my entire life. The passing of your mom is the end of an era that affects all of in one way or another. I do remember the last time that I had the pleasure of visiting with her at the house. She was as always, impeccably dressed and gracious. We shared a glass of wine and conversation for an hour or more and I walked away grateful for her ability to remain as always Marialyce. Having experienced rather recently the death of one of my own parents I know that this passing of your mom is a loss you with feel and it will reverberate through you all in a way that no other can....she was and remains always....your mother.
My love and thoughts to you all.

Stephanie

Stephanie Visser and Tomi Skarica

At the beginning of my Junior year at Covert High School, I walked into class and saw this beautiful young woman who would be my English and Latin teacher for the next two years. Thus started a wonderful friendship nurtured through our associations with AAUW, bridge, and St. Basil's, not to mention Irish girls marrying Italian men and having gorgeous children. She always gave you a warm welcome and was always interesting. Lois Blaney Sarno

Tony and I, both sons of Italian immigrant families, were lifelong friends as well as classmates. When he married Marialyce, she too became a friend. I will miss her warmth and friendliness. Harry Sarno

Harry and Lois Sarno

Marialyce was so kind to be while I served as the Executive Director of the Michigan Maritime Museum. My favorite memory of Marialyce is of the time I went to the viewing of Mrs. Cooper in Holland with she and Betty Davis. The affair was over at 11:00 am. A discussion insued between Betty and Marialyce as to whether or not we should eat lunch in Holland. Both women noted that it had been a long time since they had been to Holland and there were several places they liked. However, Marialyce finally ended the debate by saying, " If we go back to South Haven to have lunch, Betty, we can have a glass of wine. We really shouldn't drink before noon." Betty agreed and we headed back to South Haven.

Ellen Sprouls

We're so deeply sad to hear of the passing of Aunt Marialyce. She was a wonderful woman, mother and sister. I know how much she meant to my grandmother and the unique relationship they shared due to the early passing of their mother. I'll always have warm memories of visiting with her and Uncle Tony in Ft. Lauderdale and getting the thrilling opportunity to go with them in the winners circle at the horse races. Whenever you were with them, you always knew it would be stimulating and special. Our warmest thoughts are with you all.

Melissa and Evan Cohen

Dear Family: WhenI read the notice of your Mothers passing in the Kalamazoo Gazette Sunday it brought home to me how much we are connected to each other.I met your family in 1945 when Tony remodeled the Covert summer cottage of Dr.Olney and Blanche Tobin, my aunt and uncle. We lived in Chicago,Ill.and came up even while he worked on the cottage. I still remember your Dad because he was totally accepting of people. Your Mother had to have supported his way of treating people as his equal. I was only ten years old, but I have not forgotten him. My prayers are with you. You were blessed to have such wonderful parents for such a long time.

June Cotton

Mrs. Canonie will never be Mary Alice to me. Your mom had so much dignity and loving good will that to call her by her first name always seemed a bit disrespectful. My mom and dad always would call her "Irish" but to me she was Mrs Canonie. From playing at your house in the basement or the nightime soccer games and practicing the word terror with old man Dailey your mom would champion anything we would do as being wholsome and beneficial toward our growth. O.K. she never authorized us to go after Mr. Dailey but she would later go on to see that I was favored with appointments to the founding organizations for the Lake Michigan Maritime Museum and the St Basil Endowment Fund. I always admired what your mom was able to accomplish and her generous spirit to the community. I know she is being justly treated for all the good she did here on earth now in heaven. As your sister Patty comforted us with a sincere note after my dad's death, " Heaven now really does feel more comfortable now."
The greates thing your mom and dad ever did for me was give us the best neighbors a kid could ask for and for that I'm grateful to have known her.

David & Rosalee Hamlin

Anne, Tony, PJ, Johnny, Jimmy and Jerry,
What a colorful life full of far greater riches than can ever be measured on a balance sheet. She was the epitome of class, grace and generosity. We are glad to have known her and to have been privy to know some of her best work (her children). Our hearts ache for all of you in what must be a difficult time until you see her again. Blessings to you as you remember her life and legacy.

Rhonda Carraway, Leslie Pillar, Amanda Wendling (Mahoney Daughters)

I last saw Marialyce at a small gathering to celebrate Betty Davis's birthday in October 2009. Marialyce and I sat next to each other and we talked about current events and the upcoming election. We were so absolutely absorbed in our conversation that I realized, sometime later, that I'd talked with few other people at the party!
She was like that. Absorbed in
life... and absorbing. She was ahead of her time. Had a mind of her own and never, ever missed an opportunity to talk to me, which I always enjoyed.
I feel richer for having known her.

Gloria Garner
Tucson, Arizona and South Haven, Michigan

Gloria Garner

We are just hearing tonight about the passing of Marialyce. I am so sorry that we missed the opportunity to be at the visitations. Our hearts are broken with sorrow, but lifted by love and admiration for this truly special woman. Marialyce was a joyful, generous spirit, a GREAT LADY, a mentor, a revered sage. Her passing leaves a hole in our hearts and in the city of South Haven. Rest in peace, beautiful, loving, happy lady, we will miss you more than words can say. Our deepest sympathies to the family, we share your grief. Though 90 years old, we could never be ready to let Mariaylce go. What a great loss, I am so so sorry for all of us.

Elaine Herbert and Robert Kripaitis

During a recent visit with members of the Canonie family, I was reminded of a letter I received from Marialyce when in 2000 I made the decision, after 17 years of service, to leave the Michigan Maritime Museum for a new position in the St. Joseph area. The personal note she sent(handwritten, of course) was one of the most gracious and considerate expressions of appreciation I have ever received during my professional career. No surprise there, for that is how she apparently lived her life. Nevertheless, it is a little document I maintain among my most cherished keepsakes from people that have been important friends and mentors in my life. Needless to say, Marialyce will be greatly missed, but her remarkable legacy of grace, giving, care and consideration will forever live on.

Kenneth R. Pott

Dear Patricia, Tony, Jimmy and family,
Your mother was a wonderful person who always extended an invitation to us "open anytime". I know you all will miss her but from reading the obituary it appears a whole community has lost a mother. I hope you dwell on the good times with her as the condolences indicate there should be an abundance of unforgetable memories to carry you thru this difficult time. Best wishes to all our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill and Susan Kerecman

Bill and Susan Kerecman

Tony, Anne, PJ, Jerry, Jim, John
I was deeply sadden to hear of Marialyce's passing. Your Mother was one of the brightest people I have ever met and one of the kindest. Marialyce and Tony took Vicki and I under their wings and we couldn't wait for their arrival for the Winter. She and I had such a rewarding experience during the renovation to the Florida home. The project only worked because of her ideas. What a blessing your parents were to this world and now they can play golf and go to the track together again in Heaven.

Ray de la Feuilliez

Tony, Jimmy, Johnny, Jerry and the rest of the family:

Like many Conybeares, I have great memories of the times our families spent together...from you and your parents hosting our family for the 1976 Orange Bowl, to my buddies and I watching Jerry and Perry play a SH football game and then all watching Mike Masini (a good Irish-Italian boy) have his taste buds stretched to tears by your Dad's hot peppers, to hanging a few times with Jerry in his Trans Am, to having the privilege to work a couple of college summers for the Canonie Companies...I still laugh at the memory of showing up at the Port Sheldon job site in shorts, t-shirt, flip-flops and gold chains - talk about out of place!...and the job safety ironies of not being able to go shirtless or sleeveless in the sand at the Hooker site in Whitehall but it was OK to lay in it while putting together forms...and of course Tony flying Jeff Gersonde and me to Madison for our first Badgers game, brats, and red & white striped overalls...your Mom lived a full life and is now reunited with your Dad in heaven with the Lord...God Bless!! Love, Bruce Conybeare Jr & family

Bruce Conybeare Jr

To the Canonie Family: My empathy goes out to you at this time of great sorrow. I remember all the great times I had with Marialyce and Tony. The Great God of the Bible is a God of Comfort. He also promises at John 5:28, 29 that in the near future there will be a resurrection: "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out...". What a wonderful time it will be to be able to welcome Marialyce and Tony back during the resurrection. Until that time we have wonderful memories of them. Ty & Carol Wallace