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ESCANABA -- RoseMary Othelia Sankovitch, 93, of Escanaba, passed peacefully the morning of Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Bishop Noa Home surrounded by her loving family.
RoseMary was born in Escanaba on April 4, 1931, daughter of Joseph and Roseanna Lequia (nee Pepin), and was the seventh of eight children. She graduated from Escanaba High School in 1949, then obtained her jr. accountant degree from the Milwaukee Business Institute in 1951.
She married John Thomas Sankovitch in Escanaba on June 14, 1952. They spent 64 wonderful years together before his passing in October of 2016.
RoseMary became the office manager of the Midland Co-op in 1967, eventually moving to The Fair Store, continuing her role as office manager. When she officially retired in 1993, RoseMary was the general manager of the U.P. State Employees Credit Union.
RoseMary and John were big Packer fans along with being active members at the Escanaba Country Club. She even scored a hole-in-one during one of her regular golf games. Staying active after retirement, RoseMary skated with the Esky Ice Capades while she was in her 60s.
Family was one of the greatest joys of RoseMary's life: she loved playing bridge, cribbage, and Uno with the grandkids, and was always up for playing any and all card or board games. She also attended every sporting event that she could; her cowbell was ever-present out on the field or court.
The only thing that came close to the love she felt for her family was her faith. RoseMary was a past president of the Escanaba Division of Our Lady of Fatima Blue Army, a member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick's Church, and sang in the choir. She also served as chair of the Discernment Committee for St. Anne's Church healing mass. Additionally, RoseMary was incredibly active at the Bishop Noa Home with the priests and sisters of St. Paul in both the rosary and mass.
She is survived by her children, Kristine (Tom) Anderson of Madison, Wis., Tom (Barb) Sankovitch of Green Bay, Wis., Mark (Mary Ellen) Sankovitch of Chanhassen, Minn., John (Jill) Sankovitch of Wildwood, MO, and Jim Sankovitch of Bark River, Mich.; daughter in-law, Mary Sankovitch (Bill McDonald) of Easley, S.C.; grandchildren, Maddie, James, Kagan, Joshua, Jason, Khara, Helene, Stuart, Lauren, Michael John, Stephanie, Matthew, Lizzie, Steven, Kaiti, Scott, and Anna Lisa; and 32 great-grandchildren with three more on the way.
Along with her parents, RoseMary is preceded in death by her husband, John; son, Michael Sankovitch; daughter in-law, Linda Sankovitch; grandchild, Stephen; brothers, Richard, Francis, Kenneth, Paul, Joe and Bob Lequia; and sister, Teresa Flowers.
Visitation will take place on Monday, August 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S 13 St., Escanaba, MI 49829. Parish prayers will be said by Deacon Mike LeBeau at the conclusion of visitation hours at 6 p.m. followed by a short eulogy. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parish in Escanaba on Tuesday, August 27, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Timothy Ferguson officiating. A meal will immediately follow in the church hall.
The committal service will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bishop Noa Home Chapel (2900 3rd Ave S., Escanaba, MI49829), Holy Name School (409 S. 22nd St., Escanaba MI 49829), or Our Lady's Blue Army (P.O. Box 976, Washington, NJ 07882).
A message of condolence can be directed toward the family at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Sankovitch family.