Margaret M. Laventure

Born September 9 1912 and died at age 94, May 24, 2007. Loving wife of the late John “Lloyd” LaVenture. Beloved mother of Sharon (Edward) Redmer. Margaret is preceded in death by her three brothers John (Kathleen), William (Doris), and Joseph (Nadine) Demeter. Loving “Godmother” of Michael (Barbara) Demeter. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Margaret was born in Hungary and came to the United States as a child of 9, growing up in Highland Park, MI, and becoming a naturalized citizen. She was a 38 year General Motors employee at the Ternstedt Division Plant in Detroit, where she worked as a press operator. It was there that she met her late husband Lloyd LaVenture and began a wonderful 51 year marriage. The LaVentures were active church members at Saint Frances Cabrini parish in Allen Park, MI, until Lloyd’s death in 1992 and Margaret’s move to Washtenaw County in 2001, to live closer to her only child, Sharon.
Margaret loved to garden and had a natural “green thumb,” creating beautiful landscaped spaces filled with clematis, daisies, peonies, roses, wisteria, magnolia and all varieties of colorful annuals and greenery. She was an excellent seamstress, taking great enjoyment in her last years repairing or remodeling clothes. She was a meticulous “white glove clean” housekeeper.
Margaret was tender hearted toward all of God’s creatures…but particularly loved Sharon’s Champion Belgian Tervuren show dogs – Hufflepuff and Smooch, who visited her regularly in her final home at the Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) in Chelsea, MI. Margaret introduced “the girls” as her “Granddogs” to all, and she kept a stash of dog treats just for their daily visits.
Margaret had a strong affection for staff members at the CRC, who were wonderfully kind and enriched her 3.5 years there with activities, outings, crafts and membership in the “Red Hat Society.” Truly, Margaret made friends wherever she went. She loved walks and “rides” around the CRC, experiencing the lovely grounds, the stunning flowers, and the abundance of wildlife – particularly deer, Canada geese and sand hill cranes.
She was an awesome mother - hard-working, opinionated, strong, kind, pragmatic, and so very proud of her daughter’s accomplishments in life. She was a stalwart friend and a champion for the underdog, with a keen sense of fairness and order. She was a dear and loving wife.
Visitation 3-8 p.m. Friday with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service 11:30 am Saturday at the Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park, Allen Park, (313-382-1150) 12:00 noon Mass at St. Frances Cabrini Church (9000 Laurence, Allen Park). Interment Our Lady of Hope Cemetery.