Ima M. Slaby

January 13, 1916 - April 11, 2020

Ima M. Slaby, age 104, a lifelong resident of Traverse City, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020. She was born in Empire Township on January 13, 1916 the daughter of Clarence and Katherine (Birdsey) Aldrich. She graduated from Traverse City High School in 1934. On April 12, 1936, Ima married Jerome T. Slaby with whom she spent 66 happy years. She and Jerry shared a love of the outdoors, camping, fishing, and traveling. Ima was employed at the Milliken Department Store. After retirement, they enjoyed 30 winters in their Sebring, FL home. Ima took many art classes over the years and loved creating beautiful things. She was proficient in needlework, especially cross-stitch, and painting with oils. Her homes were decorated with antiques collected over the years enhanced by her exacting sense of color and placement. Her lifelong passion was researching and recording her family histories. Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Jerome T. Slaby; her cherished son, Jerry A. Slaby; sisters, Louise Ketchum , Rhea Snyder and brother, Eugene Aldrich (Evone), and brothers-in-law, Albert Snyder and Chandler Ketchum. Surviving her are her daughter, Joella (William) Seymour of Derwood, MD; daughter-in- law, Myrna Slaby of Traverse City; sister-in-law, Evone Aldrich of Traverse City; grandchildren, Kristine Woodland (Jon) of Gilberta, IL, Scott Slaby of Grand Rapids, MI, Karyn Seymour (Leo) of Poolesville, MD, Victoria Dial (Paul) of Boulder, CO; great-grandchildren, Jack and Georgia Woodland, Dana and Calvin Dial; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place. Interment and graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the love and care Ima received over the last eight years from the staff at Hawthorne Cottage, her assisted living residence, and from the staff at the Pavilions rehab center during her final days.