Julia (Bender) Stacherski

JULIA BENDER STACHERSKI, 88 of North Branch (formerly of Garden City), passed away March 26, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.

Julia was born October 22, 1932 in Detroit to Joseph and Barbara (Eidukevicius) Bender.  She grew up in Detroit and graduated from Western High School in 1950.  She married Thomas J. Stacherski at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Detroit on September 3, 1955.

Julia was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and she cherished her time spent with family. Her children and grandchildren meant the world to her.   She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, reading, playing cards, knitting and crocheting, making numerous afghans for family, friends and the prayer shawl ministry.  She loved hosting countless parties, dinners, holiday celebrations and family gatherings over the years.  She was an accomplished dancer, from square dancing to ballroom dancing and of course she loved to polka! She always had a smile and could make everyone laugh especially with her quick quips and “Nana-isms”.  Her words of wisdom were treasured by all and her favorite saying was “This too shall pass”.

Julia worked for the Garden City Public Schools for many years as a teacher aide before retiring and moving with her husband to North Branch 27 years ago.  She was very active in many community and church organizations including volunteering as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, making rosaries for the missions, and being involved with the Altar Society and Festival Committee at both St. Raphael Catholic Church in Garden City and SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in North Branch to name a few.

Julia is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 65 years, Thomas J.; her children: Thomas M. (Denise) Stacherski of Sterling Heights, Stephen G. (Sonia) Stacherski of Lapeer, Ann Stacherski of Garden City, Sandra (William J.) Starbird of North Branch; grandchildren: Stephen D. (Ashley) Stacherski, Amy (Michael) Carey, Sarah (Joseph) Boone, Christine Stacherski, William T. (Chelsea) Starbird, Alexander Starbird; great-grandchildren: Emma Carey, Andrew Stacherski, Abigail Boone; and many nieces and nephews.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Sr. and Barbara; siblings: infant Joseph, Ann, Helen, Stanley, Isabelle, Charles, Peter, Annette, Joseph Jr., Anthony, Theresa, James  and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Peggy Beagle and Kim Martin who helped us greatly in caring for our mom, Julie, these last months.  We also want to thank Amanda Borek, CNA from United Hospice Service for treating our mom to her wonderful weekly mini “spa days” over the past 4 months and Diane Austin, RN from United Hospice Service for all she did to get us through to the end. We are forever grateful for everything each of you did.

Visitation is Monday March 29, 2021 from 4-8 pm and Tuesday March 30, 2021 from 4-8pm with Rosary at 4pm at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home.  Visitation will be Wednesday March 31, 2021 from 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. with Mass of Christian Burial at 12noon at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, North Branch. Fr. Richard Treml will officiate.  Interment will follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Knights of Columbus-North Branch Council 9568, Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

You may share an online condolence to the family at www.blackburn.com

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