Obituary of Elinor Pokrywka

Elinor Mary Carmichael was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 25, 1931. She was the only child born from the union of the late Lawrence Carmichael and the late Harriet Keltie. Elinor was a 1950 graduate of Mackenzie High School in Detroit. She married the love of her life, Eugene J. Pokrywka on June 23, 1956 in Detroit. Elinor supported her family as a Teacher's Aid for many years at Hurd Road Elementary School and eight years as a Medical Secretary for Dr. Del Rosiaro, retiring in 1989. Elinor was a loving and kind, helping anyone in need. She was well respected all and "everyone was entitled to her opinion." Elinor received her spiritual nourishment, taught Sunday school, served as an Elder and a Deacon of First Presbyterian Church in Monroe. She was very outgoing as a member of Indian Trails Squaws and a twenty year member of Camp Fire Girls and had a passion to serve the Bed Race to Aid Children in Monroe. She received the Helen Applin Award from Soroptimist International of Monroe County. Elinor Mary Pokrywka, age 85, of Monroe passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her husband of thirty-one years, Eugene J. Pokrywka. To cherish her memory she leaves a daughter: Laura (Ron Meyers) Ferguson; a step-son: Michael ( Joy) Shorter; two granddaughters: Kayla Danielle Ferguson and Heather Lee Volpi; five great-granddaughters: Brian Michael Gimmy, Randall James Volpi, Alex Andria Noel Volpi, Johnathon Austin Shorter and Christina Joy Culbertson; and Tammy Poff who was like a daughter. Friends may gather from 3:00pm until 4:00pm on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, 108 Washington Street in Monroe. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 4:00pm also at the church with Reverend Dr. Anne S. Marie Kidder pastor of First Presbyterian and Reverend Roy Southerland of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church co-officiating. Memorial donations are suggested to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Program at the First Presbyterian Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo or send a floral tribute by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.