Obituary of Maria Pellikka

Maria Lynn Pellikka August 27, 1948 - February 13, 2009 Maria Lynn Pellikka was born on August 27, 1948 in Midland, Michigan. Maria was the oldest of four daughters born from the union of Henry Pellikka and Ellen (Kuivinen) Pellikka. She graduated from Midland High School. Maria found employment as an Administrative Assistant to Sharon Miller at the Monroe County Mental Health Authority. While working at Mental Health Maria was introduced to John Douglas Mack by Jeanne Rodan, a mutual acquaintance. Their initial meeting was at a Halloween party in October of 1988, but Maria soon realized that she had found her true love and it was their "chemistry" that brought and had kept them together. Maria and Doug shared the past twenty years together. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved partner: John Douglas Mack of Monroe; two sisters: Barb Lippie of Calumet, Michigan and Laura (Terry) Covert of Higgins Lake, Michigan, Doug's daughter: Rachael Ann Mack, a cousin: Ellen (Bill) Greebe of Midland, and many beloved friends and extended family. Maria's true passion was for reading. This passion led to her pursuing a Masters Degree in Library and Information Sciences in 2002 from Wayne State University. Her favorite types of books were murder mysteries. For the past few years, Maria worked as an Administrative Assistant for Monroe County Public Access. Maria loved to garden and enjoyed the beauty of flowers. She appreciated the outdoors and loved the fresh air. Her yard was her refuge, and her feline friends were her companions through thick and thin. Maria Lynn Pellikka passed away peacefully at 8:50am, Friday, February 13, 2009 at her home in Monroe. She had been under the care of Mercy Memorial Hospice in Monroe. Her passing was preceded by her mother: Ellen in 1988 and a sister: Norma. Friends may gather from 4pm until 7pm on Monday, February 16, 2009 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, (734) 384-5185. Burial will take on June 19, 2009 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eagle Harbor, Michigan on the Keewanaw Peninsula. Cremation has taken place through Southern Michigan Services, Livonia. For those desiring online words of inspiration and comfort may be sent by visiting www.merklefuneralservice.com and then selecting the Life Stories page. For those desiring memorial donations may be made in her honor to Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe or to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).