Lenore Elizabeth Berlin

Lenore was born in Alexandria, Ontario, Canada, June 17, 1931, to Donald R. and Elizabeth MacDonald. Although she emigrated to the United States when she was a toddler, Lenore was very proud of her Canadian heritage and returned often to the family farm.

Lenore grew up mainly in Warren, Michigan, where she attended Fitzgerald Elementary and Lincoln High School, graduating in 1949. She was a cheerleader and played softball on the intramural sports team. Lenore was active throughout high school and valued the bonds formed with her classmates, referring to themselves as “The 49ers.” This eclectic, fun-loving group maintained their ties throughout adulthood, gathering for annual golf outings and other activities.

Lenore was born with a strong work ethic, going to work at Grace Hospital when she was just 13. During high school, Lenore was enrolled in a clerical co-op program at the Dodge Main plant, and after a year, she was offered a position at a different Chrysler plant where she worked for another three years. It was around that time that she met her future husband, Mitchell Berlin at a big Polish wedding. They settled in Hamtramck, and had four children, Elizabeth, Joseph, Barbara and Mary Carole, who passed away in infancy.

When their children were small, Lenore and Mitchell purchased a cottage in Stony Point, Ontario, Canada where many memorable, happy summers were spent. The family formed tight bonds with their Canadian neighbors, and the cottage was enjoyed by many relatives, most learning to water ski there.

After Mitchell retired from the Hamtramck Fire Department as a captain, their family relocated to Traverse City. Soon after she began work as a secretary for the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools and later the Traverse City Central High School, where she retired in 1990, after 22 years of service. Lenore loved working with the students, and most valued the time she spent in the music department. She accompanied the music students on many of their performance trips, with her daughter Elizabeth joining the last trip, at her retirement, to several European countries. She also traveled to Scotland with her daughter Barbara to explore her Scottish heritage.

Mitchell passed away in 1986, and Lenore retired four years later. She learned to golf, immediately loving the sport and was known for her long, straight drives. Lenore renewed her love of tap dancing, joining The Happy Tappers, performing for community organizations and the annual Rotary Minstrel Show in Traverse City.

Lenore was blessed to meet Carl VanWezel, her companion of nine years. They shared a passion for golf, and traveled throughout the United States and Canada together, following much of the Lewis-Clark Trail as well as renowned golf trails. Carl passed away in 2001.

Lenore took great pride in raising her children and counted herself blessed to share in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a regular attendee of their childhood sports games and loved receiving photos and texts from them on her iPad. Lenore loved music, often playing Motown, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra and many of the rock legends of the 1960s, dancing as she worked around the house. Another love was sports, and she was a dedicated, life-long fan of the Detroit Tigers. She enjoyed Michigan State University, University of Michigan basketball, and following news, politics and of course, watching Jeopardy!

Preceding her in death, her husband, Mitchell; daughter Mary Carole; sister, Elaine Szatkowski; brother, John MacDonald; friend and companion, Carl VanWezel, and dear friends Ingrid Shriner and Beverly and Bernie Carroll.

Lenore is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Bill) Hemming, son Joseph (Joan) Berlin, and daughter, Barbara (Greg) Mort; her grandchildren, Annie Hemming, Jill (Ben) Anderson, Jessie (Matt) Lonnerstater, Mitch (Amanda Banton) and Jackson Mort, Claire, William (Camille) and Robert Berlin; and great-grandchildren, Charlie, Owen, Evan, Nora, Lilly Lenore, and Violet Mae. She had many extremely special and close relationships with her nieces and nephews and valued her friends Gail Glarum and Cyndy Carroll-Wolf.

She was a member of Traverse City St. Francis and later St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Lenore was one of the first volunteers for the Father Fred Foundation, managing their bulk mailings for many years. Lenore took great pride in the care and cleaning of vestments at St. Joe’s Catholic Church. She supported people and efforts that focused on the environment, protection of the Great Lakes, at-risk youth, and social services, always a champion for the underdog.

Lenore will be remembered for her warmth, intelligence, humor, compassion and spunk. Hospitality was of utmost importance to her, and her home was open to family and friends whether for a meal or an extended stay.

Lenore lived at the Village at Bay Ridge and most recently Cherry Hill Haven and wished to extend her gratitude for the warm, caring staff. Cam, her hospice nurse (Bayside Wellness Hospice), provided great support and comfort to both Lenore and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be directed to the Father Fred Foundation or the Hamtramck Firefighters Association. HFA donations should be mailed to Hamtramck Fire Department, C/O Chief Matt Wyszczelski, 2675 Caniff, Hamtramck, MI 48212. If you would like your HFD donation directed to a specific service or equipment, please note in the check memo.

Lenore’s funeral is on Friday, October 23 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 12675 Center Road, Traverse City, MI. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., and her funeral mass at 10:00 a.m.