Marilee Carroll Schlack

Marilee Carroll Schlack, 84, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on February 24, 2024. Marilee was born on March 9, 1939, in Traverse City, Michigan, to the late John and Henrietta (Schall) Carroll. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in the Class of 1957 and pursued her higher education at Michigan State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education in 1961, and her Master of Arts in Special Education with a focus in Reading in 1966. During her time at Michigan State, Marilee was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. Marilee developed lifelong friendships from her time at Michigan State that continued for the remainder of her life. Marilee married the late Karl F. Schlack on June 30, 1973, in Traverse City, MI. Together they shared a good life together enjoying their mutual love of cooking, baking, gardening, reading, boating, travel, their beloved dogs, and lake life living on East Bay in Traverse City. Each year Marilee and Karl would bake each other their favorite cakes on each other’s birthdays. She and Karl traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Canada and many states in the U.S., but her happiest place to be was at her home on East Bay. Marilee began her teaching career at the Arnell Engstrom School for Children in Traverse City. As a dedicated educator, she enjoyed serving the children of the Arnell Engstrom school until the day she retired. One of her greatest accomplishments was teaching one of her autistic students to speak for the first time. She was a devout Catholic and a long-standing member of Immaculate Conception Parish. Marilee actively contributed to the community throughout her lifetime. Marilee was a humble and generous person who never sought acknowledgement for all of her acts of kindness and good works. She found great joy in helping others from a young age and was known for her knack of getting things done. Her life’s mission was to help those less fortunate and folks who were troubled. Her commitment extended to many charitable endeavors. She supported the Carmelite Monastery, "her gals on the hill," always seeking prayers for her family members, friends or anyone in need of prayer, and reciprocated with financial assistance. She was a talented knitter, donating countless hand-knitted hats, mittens and sweaters for children through Immaculate Conception Parish, as well as purchasing hundreds of children’s winter coats, pants and snowsuits to donate to the community annually. She also donated hand-knit sweaters to the GTACS Gladhander Auction over the years. During the holidays, Marilee would bake 50 to 100 loaves of homemade banana bread and her famous zucchini bread, as well as homemade cookies and deliver them to family, friends and many nursing homes in the Grand Traverse Community. Those close to Marilee will miss her delicious homemade chocolate frosted brownies! In addition to Marilee’s professional life, she began investing in rental properties, purchasing her first rental home in her mid-20’s. She eventually purchased nine rental homes, and not only did she manage her rental units on her own, she also handled all of the administrative responsibilities, the repairs and maintenance and many years of painting herself. As her own handywoman, she said the only thing she couldn’t do on her own was to re-roof her homes. As Marilee began to slow down, she did hire her loyal property manager, Tom, to handle the repair and maintenance of her rental homes. True to her mission of supporting those in need, Marilee and Karl believed in providing affordable housing in the Grand Traverse region for those in need and continues that practice even today. In fact, Marilee received a reward from the Traverse City Housing Commission for providing clean, safe and affordable housing to people experiencing limited income. Marilee was an exceptional individual who consistently looked out for the well-being of others, leaving a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to have known her. Marilee is survived by her sister Sheila (Gary) Sherwin, her sister-in-law Lenore Schlack, her nieces and nephews, Christine (Gregory) Bohn, Jonathan Sherwin, Cathleen Sherwin, Gregory (Wendy) Sherwin, Kayla Mosher, Jane (Jose) Peruyero, Lynne Carroll, Jeffery Carroll, Maria Housden, Diana (Christopher) Root, Laura Schlack, Benjamin (Laura) Schlack, Michael Schlack, and many beloved great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Karl F. Schlack, her parents John and Henrietta, her brother John Carroll II, her brothers-in-law, Larry Schlack and Ronald Schlack, and her sister-in-law Marilyn Schlack. A private burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in the spring. The family has asked that those wishing to make a memorial donation in Marilee’s name may do so to the Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI 49686, the Carmelite Monastery of the Infant of Prague, 3501 Silver Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684, or to the Munson Hospice House, 450 Brook Steet, Traverse City, MI 49684. Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Marilee Carroll Schlack

March 9, 1939 - February 24, 2024