Maxine Lucille Pelizzari

Maxine L. Pelizzari, 89 of Traverse City, passed away on December 18, 2015. Maxine was born on November 14, 1926 in Traverse City to Otto and Urina Bohrer. On November 3, 1951, she married Eugene (Gene) Pelizzari of Traverse City (Old Mission Peninsula), who preceded her in death on February 23, 2010.
Maxine graduated from Traverse City High School in 1945. She worked at Kroger Grocery Store as a cashier during her junior and senior years where she honed her natural ability for financial accuracy and engaging with people from all walks of life. After graduating, she went to work at the Traverse City State Hospital in the bookkeeping department for ten years, and later for Underwood Farm Market while farming and raising her family.
In 1954, Maxine and Gene purchased the family fruit farm on Old Mission Peninsula That Gene's father, Armando, acquired in the early 1920's. Maxine was actively involved in every farm operation from managing the financial business, to planting, pruning and picking the various fruit trees that covered their property from East Shore Road west to Center Road. Together they raised their three children, John, Dave, and Ann, who also worked on the farm from an early age. Other family members including Maxine's sister Leola (Yankee) and her family, along with multiple nieces and nephews worked for Aunt Maxine and Uncle Gene on the Pelizzari Farm. Stories of their experiences, now treasured, are told and retold at every family gathering.
Maxine and Gene retired from farming in 1990 and sold most of the farm in 1991. The citizens of Peninsula Township with the help of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy acquired this portion of the original farm and named it the Pelizzari Natural Area in honor of Maxine and Gene.
Maxine was an active, life-long member of the First Baptist Church, where she and Gene met and married. Maxine loved working in her yard and on crossword puzzles sent weekly to her from daughter, Ann, and did so to keep active and her mind sharp. She never missed a televised city commission meeting or political debate and was amazed by and open to the changes in the world and differences in people. She spent many years driving friends, neighbors and family to appointments and would re-acquaint with old friends and make new friends everywhere she went. This was also true each time she required the assistance of Munson Hospital and their services through the years and her family will always be grateful for the great care and respect the people at Munson gave Maxine through her final moments early on the morning of her death.
She is survived by sons John E. (Theresa) Pelizzari of Traverse City and David H. Pelizzari of Washington D.C.; daughter Ann Marie Pelizzari of Alexandria, Virginia; grandsons Jimmy E. Pelizzari and David C. Pelizzari of Traverse City, sister Leola Yankee, Theresa's daughters and grandchildren Kelsey (Matt) Hall, Forey Erickson, Rory and Declan Hall; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Her parents, her husband, brothers' Bert and Ralph Bohrer and sister Gwendolyn Strait preceded her in death.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, 244 Washington Street, Traverse City, Michigan. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Maxine's nephew, Reverend Tim Yankee of Shelbyville, Illinois will officiate. A second celebration will be held early summer 2016 at her son John's home built on the farm where she and Gene made their life's work and provided for the family they shared and loved.
Memorial contributions are to be made to the Pelizzari Natural Area (Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, www.GTRLC.org ) and the First Baptist Church.
The Reynolds Jonkoff Funeral Home is serving the family.