Boqueen Estlack

Friends and family of BoQueen Patricia Estlack were privileged to know such a unique and generous woman. She gave of herself to friends and to strangers, serving where she saw a need and accepting people for who they were. Hardworking and talented, she had a great reputation as a chef, but was even more famous among her loved ones as a selfless mother, wife, and grandma. The years following World War I found Edward and Bernice Hogan in Ravenna, Michigan, working hard to make ends meet. They were nervous yet thrilled to learn that they were expecting their first child and when BoQueen arrived on October 4, 1920, she was showered with affection. BoQueen was eventually a big sister to Maxine and Luella, a role she enjoyed at least until her sisters were old enough to argue with her. Edward worked for the railroad and later the county road commission and Bernice managed the home while holding down a job in retail. BoQueen loved the time their close-knit family spent picnicking and taking leisurely drives around the picturesque area. Growing up on their farm in Egelston Township during the Great Depression, she learned about teamwork and resourcefulness. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, Jones School, from kindergarten through the eighth grade, then went on to Muskegon High, graduating with the class of 1938. She then attended and graduated from Muskegon Business College. As the globe suffered through World War II, people looked for ways to lighten their burdens, if only for an hour or two. Community dances were common, and it was at one such event that BoQueen met a man named Leonard Estlack. She adored dancing while he couldn't manage a single step, but they made it work that evening and for many more after that. They fell in love and were married at St. Mary's Church on October 20, 1944. BoQueen got a job with the Anaconda Wire and Cable Company in Muskegon. Their first precious son, Larry, was born in 1949. BoQueen and Leonard began building their home in Norton Shores which they were able to move into in 1953, the same year that their second son, William, was born. In 1958, BoQueen and Leonard welcomed their daughter Donna. They attended circuses and camped in the Upper Peninsula, sometimes during the years of the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. They often spent Saturdays or Sundays at Delores and Premo Petermans cottage on Twin Lake. Sensitive to all creatures great and small, BoQueen made room for several house guests including dogs, cats, tropical fish, turtles, and various reptiles as well as some yard quests like poultry, sheep, and an occasional pig. Wildlife was welcome in the yard, also. She loved her cat Skeezer and was heartbroken when he died, but Mr. Mittens' arrival helped. BoQueen understood that each of her children was different and needed unique attention, which she always made time for despite her demanding schedule. She attended all of their extra-curricular activities, and once chaperoned eighty Catholic Central band members on a train for several days when they traveled to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. Even though she had to drive Larry o Catholic Central every school day, sometimes twice for band practices, football games, and plays, she believed that it was best for her children's future. She taught them to earn their own way without expecting anything for free. BoQueen was a talented seamstress, making many of her own clothes and some for the children, constructing Halloween costumes, and even tailoring about seventy-five Catholic Central High School band uniforms. She worked as the chef at Pontaluna Golf Course and the Muskegon Country Club for years and was considered by some to be the best cook in Muskegon. She also ran BoQueen's Fine Catering for about forty years, always searching out and tweaking new recipes to perfectly suit her clients' events. BoQueen's faith was important to her, which was demonstrated by her consistent service to St. Mary's Church where she served on the Altar Society for many years. Every Saturday she could be found cleaning at church so that it was ready for services the next day. Having lost a daughter, Patricia, at birth, BoQueen understood grief and reached out to others by regularly making herself available to prepare and serve meals for church member funerals for thirty years. Leonard retired from Continental Motors in 1981 and BoQueen retired from catering in about 2005, but they both remained active. Bo nurtured her flowers and garden while Leonard continued to plow snow for neighbors and take on handyman projects. They maintained a large garden and vineyard, selling a few grapes and making grape jelly and wine from whatever didn't sell. She was a faithful friend, keeping up with her church and catering chums like Mary Ann Mahney, Mary Pronick, Molly Ripka, Ruth Ruby, Rosemary Sleak, Kelly Visconti, Betty Havemans and Kam Kenny. Her children were a top priority even after they were grown. She catered weddings of their friends, traveled to William's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration, attended his daughter's wedding, and made it to Larry's induction into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She loved visiting Donna in Colorado and her daughter tried to make each visit memorable. They took a surprise trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, drove the cliff-hugging Shelf Road while mountain goats looked down on them, ate at unique restaurants, and for Bo's birthday one year they enjoyed eye-popping and mouth-watering foot-long, six-inch high eclairs. She couldn't have been more proud of her kids. She was grieved to lose Leonard in 2009, but was grateful for friends like Greg and Rick Bolton who helped maintain her home afterward. She took comfort in her family, and weekend visits with her adored grandchildren were highlights. The holidays were so much the brighter when they came over to help decorate. She was willing to do anything for them, and made sure they knew it. She will be missed, but leaves her loved ones with sweet memories and a wonderful example of faithfulness and sacrifice. BoQueen Estlack died on Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Haslett, Michigan, with her sister and other family members at her bedside. She is survived by her children, Larry Estlack of Lansing, Bill (Diana) Estlack of Alpena, and Donna (Greg) Brazill of Cripple Creek, Colorado; grandchildren, Corey (Nicole) Stark of Alpena, Erica Estlack Sefasson of Cork, Ireland, and Alicia Estlack of Grand Rapids; great grandchildren, Kelly, Macey, and Carter Stark of Alpena; one sister, Maxine (Russell) Bolton of Grand Haven; and many nieces and nephews. BoQueen was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, an infant daughter, Patricia, and a sister, Luella. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 22, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Fr. Thomas Brown officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 21, from 5-7 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guest book.