Elaine A. Glowicki

Beautiful Faces by Anonymous
Beautiful faces are they that wear
The light of a pleasant spirit there;
Beautiful hands are they that do
Deeds that are noble and good and true;
Beautiful feet are they that go
Swiftly to lighten another's woe.

Our beautiful and loving mother, Elaine Adelaide Glowicki, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023 at her home in Elk Rapids. She was born in Bay City, Michigan, daughter of Gilbert and Adelaide (Kamenick) Heller on September 9, 1932. In her early years, citizens of Bay City would find her behind the counter of the CIty Dairy, owned and operated by her father. Perfectly blended chocolate malts and scooped ice cream cones were her forte and the beginning of her long working career. Elaine attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Bay City, graduating in 1950.
Beautiful faces are they that wear - An enthusiastic cheerleader, Elaine had her eye on the handsome basketball coach, Don Glowicki, at St. Mary's High School. Apparently, in his shy manner, so did he. Their relationship was a true love story, they married on August 29, 1953 and spent 68 years together before his death on May 11, 2022.
The light of a pleasant spirit there; Elaine's love of her Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her existence. Each week the Glowicki family would file into the first pew at Sacred Heart Church. Elaine embraced every aspect of the church: teaching CCD classes, being an active member of the Ladies Altar Society, an integral member of the finance council, welcoming new parishioners and serving as a Eucharist minister and lector. Every role she portrayed was taken with astute study, servitude, and joy.
Beautiful hands are they that do - Being the wife of Don Glowicki, coach and athletic director, she supported his teams with fresh baked frosted cinnamon rolls. Ever so popular, he had to hand them out because if bags were passed from the front of the bus, players in the back never received one. Christmas time yielded dozens and dozens of delicious rolls, delivered fresh to the houses of friends and family. A sweet tradition that has been passed on to her daughters.
Deeds that are noble and good and true; When Elaine moved from her hometown of Bay City to Elk Rapids, she found it easy to love the village of Elk Rapids and being a part of the community. Her civic mindedness really bloomed when she worked as Elk Rapids Village Clerk for 30 years. She mentored many village employees, greeted taxpayers with a smile and often patiently explained a bill. Her proudest accomplishment was winning a seat as village trustee, running on the promise - "A privilege to serve the residents of Elk Rapids"- all at the age of 86! Passionate for anything related to the village, she wanted her ideas to be heard and hoped she was able to communicate the voice of the people. Often, you would see her around town, walking and greeting people, always with a friendly hello and willing to listen to anyone's ideas.
Beautiful feet are they that go - Early travel experiences were summers spent at her parents' cottage in Au Gres on Lake Huron. Five children loaded up in the station wagon to spend the summer months with no schedule other than fun in the sun and the annual Glowicki reunions. Spring break family time meant the newest AAA TripTik with an end destination of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, creating 40 years of lasting memories.
Swiftly to lighten another's woe. A life story cannot be complete without the love for a good card game or golf. For Elaine, competition and winning were fundamental. "Schmear", a Wisconsin card game, was played whenever family gatherings occurred. One would hear lots of laughter, the yells of victory or the grumbles of defeat. If she was not winning, she would say, "one more". No matter the outcome, she always said "good game". Her love for bridge was an addiction and she was good at it. From Saturday evening bridge with couples to her favorite ladies bridge group, Elaine would be shaking her pink change purse of winnings with a smile.
She is survived by her five beloved children: Kathleen (John) Lau, Donald (Diane) Glowicki, Mary (Doug) Coates, Jeanne (Michael Tomich) Glowicki, and Barbara (Robert) Murphy. Her much loved 9 grandchildren are Joshua (Sarah Komara) Lau, Anna (David) Gailey, Matthew Glowicki, Christopher Glowicki, Amy (Matthew) Edington, Andrew (Kelsey) Coates, Elise Coates, Reid (Sydney) Murphy,and Ellery Murphy and two great-grandchildren Adelaide and MJ Edington. Elaine is survived by sister Ruth (Gib) Bolduc, brother Tom (Betsy) Heller, sister-in-laws Judy Glowicki and Sally Glowicki, and many nieces and nephews. Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her sister Doris and brother-in-law Bill Monroe, niece Jane, and her brothers Jim and Ronald Heller.
Indeed, Elaine was a beautiful face. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 between
4:00 - 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Church hall in Elk Rapids; with a funeral mass being held on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 11:00am. A celebration of Elaine's life will take place immediately following at Glowicki Field in Elk Rapids. A private interment ceremony for immediate family members will take place following the celebration. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in "memory of Elaine Glowicki" to the following: Sacred Heart Building Fund www.sacredheartelkrapids.org , Donald Glowicki Athletic Scholarship at Elk Rapids High School, or Hospice of Michigan www.hom.org/donate . Streaming will be available through the church website www.sacredheartelkrapids.org
Elaine's family would like to thank Hospice of Michigan (especially Beth, Briella, Kelley, Lindsay, Lisa, Robin, and Dr. Zook) for their guidance and compassionate care. Elaine and her family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com