Our beautiful mother, Thelma Rosemary Weber, "Sam," 95, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2023, surrounded by many family members. She was born September 3, 1928, to William and Rose Pahl and raised on their farm near Hannah, Michigan, along with eleven siblings.

After graduating from St. Mary of Hannah School, she fell in love with Clarence Weber (a handsome neighbor and decorated WW2 hero), who happened to give her and her sisters a ride home from a local dancehall. They were married in St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Church, owned a dairy farm nearby, and raised six children: Judy (Glenn) LaCross, Terry (Vicki) Weber, Susan Weber, Karen (Doug) Davey, Gregg (Pam) Weber, and Tim (Cindy) Weber. Greatest among their many blessings in life were grandchildren: Scott (Patricia), Nicole, Jennifer, Michael (Rachel), and Daniel Weber; Suzanna (Jon) LaCroix, Ben (Kelsey) LaCross, Maria (Jim) Okorn, and Matt (Audrey) and Tom (Breanna) Davey. Added delights were great-grandchildren: Noah and Ryleigh Weber; Harper LaCroix; Keaton, Lauren, and Cameron LaCross; Lydia, Ella, and Sawyer Okorn; Penelope, Ophelia, and Archer Davey.

Besides being a hard-working farm wife, Sam managed to grow a large garden, preserving much for her family. She was a wonderful seamstress and made pretty dresses for her girls and dolls for her grandchildren. She worked in housekeeping at the Interlochen Arts Academy, in the office at Grand Traverse Livestock, and over twenty years at Chef Pierre (Sara Lee), supervising the sales department. She stayed in touch with many of her co-workers who considered her a dear friend and confidant.

She volunteered throughout her life: as a CASA tutor for the court, taught CCD classes at St. Mary and served on the school board there (including as president); receiving many citations from the Diocese of Gaylord. She joined the Ma-Me-Ne-Sewong Garden Club at Long Lake to learn more about the flowers and plants she loved to grow; also serving as vice-president and president. She worked for decades at the annual St. Mary Chicken Dinner making her award-winning dressing recipe, still being used to this day. Ushering at Interlochen for concerts, raising money for the American Cancer Society, and being a charter member of the Right to Life of Grand Traverse County were some of the many ways she used her talents to better the lives of others.

After she and Clarence retired, they traveled the country and the world, often visiting old friends and making new ones in Europe, Australia, Hawaii, and Fiji. Like Will Rogers, they never met a man they didn't like!

She enjoyed walking wherever she lived, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling with our dad. They often zipped around on theirs with friends in the winter, visiting a bar or two along the way! While living at Woodside Village Assisted Apartments, she loved to tell jokes or stories; one being that she would go out dancing on tables at bars. A gentleman that shared meals with her in the dining room volunteered to go along and collect tips, but only for a cut of the profits. An ongoing playful back and forth ensued about how much that split would be! She loved to dance and told us stories of her jitterbugging with the local Coast Guard contingent before meeting Clarence. In her later years, she enjoyed puzzles, especially working on them with her friend, Kay. Reading, playing euchre, and living for phone calls and visitors filled her days. Her mind stayed sharp through her nineties, and she was never, ever at a loss for witty words of wisdom!

She and her only remaining sister, Kelly Priest, who lived in the apartment next door, would recite the rosary daily, followed by a little happy hour before heading down to the dining room for dinner! They celebrated Sunday Mass on TV together, walked to meals together, and watched out for one another. Kelly will miss her sister very much. She is survived by brother-in-law Raymond Weber and sisters-in-law Sr. Mary Aquinas Weber, MaryEllen Weber, Barbara Weber, and many nieces, nephews, and their children; all of whom felt loved and cherished by her, with fond memories of visiting the farm.

Sam's strong Catholic Faith helped her to endure years of pain despite several surgeries. She never lost her smile, sassiness, or sense of humor; always looking forward to the next visit from family and friends. Children were her delight. As one great-nephew said, "She is such a smiley lady, her cheeks must hurt all the time!" Both her hospice and Woodside caregivers loved caring for her; she made each of them feel special. As one said, "Sam was a huge presence here and left a big empty space in our daily routines and hearts!"

Our Mom, or Mia as her grands and greats called her, left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She loved us all fiercely and said she would miss everyone, but was not afraid and was certain of her Faith. She told one of us that she had her list of questions ready for Jesus!

Our Family is forever indebted to the angels from Hospice of Michigan (April and Jamie) and those at Woodside (Laura N., Laurie, Laura R., Stephanie, Whitney, Allie, Dianne, and others there that helped with Mom in some way). "It takes a village to raise a child as well as to usher an elder on their return to the Source."

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, 511 S. Garfield Avenue, Traverse City, Michigan  49686, from 4-6:30 PM with a Rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a time of sharing.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 13, 2024, at St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Church, 2462 West M-113 Kingsley, Michigan  49649, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.  Interment will take place in St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Cemetery.

To honor our mother's legacy, please consider a donation to either Hospice of Michigan ( https://www.hom.org/donate/ ) or St. Mary of Hannah ( https://www.osvhub.com/stmaryhannah/giving/funds ); note either mass intentions or the foundation that will ensure the future of the school that meant so much to her.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com