Marcella M. Skradski, age 90, of 714 Wisconsin Ave., Gladstone died Thursday, January 25th, 2007, at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.
Marcella was born the daughter of Wilfred and Julia (LaMarche) Breault on December 25th, 1916 in Escanaba and she was a lifelong Escanaba and Gladstone resident.
She married John J. Skradski on April 23rd, 1935 in Escanaba and together they founded, owned, and operated the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 1947 until 1978. Working was always an important and central part of their lives and John continued assisting at the funeral home until his death on June 30th, 1984. Marcella remained volunteering at the funeral home until her health no longer permitted to do so. The staff of the funeral home always enjoyed her assistance and talking to her. Marcella had an uncanny and unique way of saying and phrasing things that brought a smile to them and accordingly, they would stop in to see her at home, or at assisted living, and later at the nursing home.
Marcella was a fiercely independent person who enjoyed doing things for herself but when anyone assisted her with anything, she was extremely grateful and thankful. She had simple tastes and was a very genuine individual. Family and close friends also know her as a generous human being who gave willingly, generously, and quietly.
Marcella Skradski loved to travel, including everything from day trips to extended vacations around the world. Sailing on cruise ships was her favorite method of traveling with her family at her side. She particularly enjoyed traveling with her only grandchild, Julie, who was also the
Anonymous
What a woman! They sure broke the mold when they made Marcella. She really did have a way of making you smile. I fondly remembered being called “boy” when I served my apprenticeship at the funeral home. I always loved her little chuckle. Surprisingly I see she didn’t die on Christmas eve as she had always reminded us, for those of us who knew that story, we know the rest of it as well! It’s always wonderful when you can remember someone with a smile, and Marcella is just one of those people!
Shawn M. Smith RSJ
New Haven, CT
To Joan and Family,
So sorry about your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Jim & Abie LaLonde
Gladstone, MI
I remember Marcella “Grandma Cella” as being a kind and caring individual. When I was little my nanny Bernice and I would take our daily stroll, and one of the stops was always at Marcella’s. We would sit at her kitchen table and have our daily snack of Saltine crackers with Skippy Peanut Butter on them, and a glass of Sprite to was them down. Whenever she would go on a trip she would always bring me back a present from where ever she went. Since I always called her Grandma Cella, she gave the pet name of “Puttin” and to this day I do not know what it means. Although she was not a Grandmother to me, I’ll forever think of her as one and she’ll always have a special place in my heart.
Amelia Waeghe
Gladstone, MI
We remember Mr. and Mrs. Skradski for their warm smiles and how well they served the public in their profession. How nice that she could live to be 90 years of age. We offer our sympathy to Joan and her family at this time.
Dr. and Mrs. Carl Olsoon
Palm Harbor, FL
I fondly remember the ice cream sundaes after the movies with Marce. Also she always bought us a toy from the dimestore and how good she was to us when we were kids. John and she are together now. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Donna Blair
Kodiak, AK