Noella A. MaKosky

A light that we will forever carry in our hearts.

Noella was born December 26, 1929 in Dryburg, MI (Rudyard) to Leonard and Rubia (Savoie) Guenette. The 13th of 15 children, she learned strength and resilience early in life, having lost her mother at the age of 10. This experience shaped Noella’s deep love of family and created a very close-knit group of siblings — a legacy that lives on through the generations of children who grew up knowing her love and care.

She married Clifford Chouinard on June 6, 1947. Together, they raised a young family before Clifford’s passing on November 16, 1958. A widow with four children at just 27 years old, Noella was determined to provide for herself and her family. She learned to drive her first car and found work at Tim and Sally’s in downtown Escanaba.

On August 8, 1964, Noella married Robert MaKosky. Her family grew once again, first with a stepson and later with her third daughter. They lived in Riverland until moving to Milwaukee in 1984, then retired to Wisconsin Rapids in 1995. Noella and Robert had many happy, active years together and were favorites among their many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. They shared a love of family, bowling, snowmobiling, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers. He preceded her in death on October 15, 2008.

True to form, Noella chose to return to the U.P. to be closer to family following Robert’s death. Noella especially loved visiting and gathering with her extended family. She was known for her meat pies — a cherished New Years’ tradition — and her love of shopping, which knew no season. She was a homemaker, childcare provider, and avid crocheter.

Noella will be remembered for her quiet strength, great love of family, and dry sense of humor. She kept everyone on their toes with her quick remarks and appreciated both a well-timed joke and a perfectly made bed.

Noella is survived by her children, Terry Chouinard, Pamela Schmidt, and Wendy (Robert) Kobasic of Escanaba, MI; Dale Chouinard of Cantwell, AK; and Gina (Keith) Erickson of Gladstone, MI; stepson Roy (Glenna) MaKosky of Rochester, MN; 24 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 14 great great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and spouses, Noella was preceded in death by siblings Alice, Lucien, Albert, Jane, Albertine, Leo, Isadore, Ernest, Theodore, Oscar, Gerald, Theresa, Marie, and Joseph; daughters-in-law Judy Chouinard and Christine Chouinard.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bishop Noa and U.P. Home Care and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care, especially granddaughter Amber Gallagher for taking care of grandma so lovingly.

Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 at Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba on Thursday, October 16, with a brief memorial service at 2:00 with Deacon Mike LeBeau officiating.. Internment will immediately follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Schaffer. The family will receive guests for dinner at Highland Golf Club from 3:30 to 5:30.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.