Fay Marie Kivela
ESCANABA — Fay Marie Kivela, 77, of Escanaba passed away on Friday September 23, 2022 at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She was born on September 10, 1945 to Sulo and Tyyne Kivela. Fay’s grandparents were Frank and Olga Ryti. Her pride and joy was growing up with her siblings in her Finnish parents’ logging camp in the Negaunee, Mich. area. She graduated from Escanaba High School in 1963. Fay studied with Merle Norman cosmetics in Los Angeles, Calif. and subsequently managed the Merle Norman studio in Escanaba. She later studied education and received her associate’s degree from Bay College. Fay worked as a waitress at The Terrace Bluff and The Buck Inn, where she was known for her personable and warm disposition.
Fay was a dedicated and loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved fashion, interior design, painting, and crafts. Fay had a special knack for making things beautiful. She loved walking amongst nature, hosting her family and friends in her home, and celebrating her Finnish heritage through music, food, and art. She made everyone feel special.
Fay’s former husband, John Gollyhorn, preceded her in death.
Fay is survived by her four children, Lisa Valentine (and her husband, Bob Valentine) of Escanaba, Mich., Lana Gollyhorn of Denver, Colo., Tyler Gollyhorn of Escanaba, Mich., and Erik Gollyhorn of Escanaba, Mich.; three grandchildren, Jack, Alex, and Ian Valentine; her siblings and their spouses, Kerry and Rick Dewey and Ralph and Deb Kivela of Gladstone, Mich.; and her lifelong friend Gloria Griffin (and her husband, Phil Griffin) of Tucson, Arizona.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Fay’s life on Thursday, September 29, at Central United Methodist Church, 322 South Lincoln Road in Escanaba from 2 to 3 p.m. A funeral to celebrate Fay’s life will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday at church. A luncheon will follow services in the church fellowship hall. Fay will be laid to rest in the Negaunee Cemetery.
The Allo Coolman Funeral Home is assisting the Kivela family.
Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to her family.