Therese Mary Fix, formerly of the Vagabond Resort, Rapid River, died peacefully March 1, 2021, at the Bishop Noa Nursing Home, Escanaba.
She was born in Detroit on May 12, 193l to Aime and Germaine (Vachon) Guay . She grew up in Ferndale where she attended St. James School and in 1949 married her late husband Thomas J. Fix. They started their family and lived many happy years in Oak Park, Michigan where she was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and several civic organizations.
In 1966, the family bought The Vagabond Resort, on Little Bay de Noc, which they successfully operated for 30 years. Besides managing a busy resort, in her forties, Therese attended Bay College earning an Associates Degree. She was employed at the Bay College Reading Lab assisting students with reading proficiency and study skills. In retirement, she became an active member of Bay Sages Organization and participated in the annual Monarch Butterfly Research Project banding hundreds of butterflies at Stonington Point.
Therese was a lifelong supporter of libraries and an avid reader. She was a Rapid River Library volunteer and a Great Books Foundation leader. In her free time, she enjoyed doing handicrafts including knitting, crocheting, and cross stitch. She was also a consummate cook, baker and cake decorator, making beautiful cakes for many special family occasions.
She will be greatly missed by a lifetime of friends and especially her family. She has seven surviving children, Catherine Fix Ferguson of Haslett, Timothy (Donna) and Gerald Fix of Rapid River, Mary ( Jorge) San Clemente of Gainesville, Monica (Morley) Rushford and Paul (Jodi) Fix of Rapid River and Thomas Jr.( Becky) Fix of Rhinelander.
Her son David Fix preceded her in death. Of her siblings, she is survived by her loving sister, Angela (Bob) Grove, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Therese’s ashes will be interred at the Rapid River Cemetery next to her husband and son. Contributions in Therese’s name may be directed to Bay de Noc Community College Scholarship Fund. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements.
Donna (Sheridan) Munroe - Las Vegas, NV
Aunt Therese, from snap beans to popcorn balls, pancakes to fried fish. You were wonderful, demanding, loving and there! You were much loved and will be missed. I am grateful for your presence in my life and the examples you set are with me still. Rest❣️
Jo Skogman - Gladstone, MI
Will miss Therese from Coterie Book Club, Bay Sages, and quilting at First Lutheran. Therese taught us the “right rules’” for Dominos and Rummy Cube. Her meals for Coterie were great. RIP
Cathryn C (King) Stone - Rapid River, MI
She was a very sweet Lady with a big loving heart.
She us to come into our store quite often and it was a pleasure to help her.
Jon P Ferguson - EAST LANSING, MI
Therese’s dedication to the Monarch Project on the Stonington Penisula was an inspiration to me. She became very involved in this effort to study and preserve the species. She obviously loved the flora and fauna of the U.P., with the possible exception of chipmunks.
Mary Javurek - Escanaba, MI
She was a very sweet lady, she always had a smile. I met her at West Highland Apartment where we lived. I also met her again at Bishop Noa home. I tried to talk to her everyday.. She will be missed.
Elsa DePas - Escanaba, MI
Therese was a true friend. We became friends here at West Highland and we would sit in the common area and talk about our families and experiences in our lives. She would always bring my husband 3 bean salad when she made it knowing how much he loved it. She also brought other treats to us and we more or less exchanged a meal here and there. I only wish I could of visited her at Bishop Noa but the Pandemic wouldn’t allow that.
Rest in peace dear friend. “In our Father’s house are many mansions.” I hope yours is next to mine.
Sue Young - Escanaba, MI
She was a very nice and sweet lady. I worked with her several years at Bay College. She was an asset to the many students she helped. She was always willing to help any way she could. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to all of her family.
Lori Shea - Gladstone, Mi
It was great to get to know Therese through my involvement with Bay Sages. She certainly was a go getter and a dedicated member! I later reunited with her at Bishop Noa Home while visiting my mom. We reminisced of the many great outings that were planned and attended for Bay Sages. May she Rest In Peace.
Angela Sheridan-Grove - Farmington Hills, Mi
Therese you will always be my sister/friend. You and Tom took me in when I was 15 and within your home and family of seven little ones, I truly learned the meaning of love and family. I am who I am with many thanks to you my Sister; I continue to miss you and know that when we are together again, our friendship will be as strong as ever! I love you Angie
Nick Sigan - Escanaba, MI
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs Fix. She was a great lady and my thought go out to her children.