TRAVERSE CITY — Marie L. Sharka, 91, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in the presence of her loving family at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.Marie was born to Joseph and Anna Yarosh on Nov. 11, 1918. She married Edward Sharka on Dec. 8, 1942.Marie was a talented musical and visual artist who declined scholarships to art school so that she could support her family during the Depression and World War II. Marie was devoted to her family, taking special delight in her young great-grandchildren.Her grandchildren recall happy summers at "The Cottage," where Marie patiently taught them to dry, press and arrange flowers.Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Edward, and her sister Helen Baker.She is survived by her brother, Joseph (Violetta) Yarosh; her sister, Rose Galecki; her daughter, Joanne Butt; her son (she would not have liked him to be called her "son-in-law"), Munawar Butt; her son, Rodney (Myrtle) Sharka; grandchildren, Corinna (Patrick) Dewey, Sarah (Fulvio) Lonardo, Shaun Butt; and great-grandchildren Rebecca and Anna Dewey, Maria Giuseppina Lonardo and Franchesco Lonardo.Marie's family offers heartfelt thanks to those who lovingly cared for Marie during her stay at Grand Traverse Pavilions. A funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with burial at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery immediately following mass. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at the church.Memorial contributions in Marie's honor may be directed to the Grand Traverse Pavilions.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.