Dorothy Stella Rivard

Our loving mother, grandmother and sister passed away peacefully Monday, March 31, 2014 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan with her loving family at her side.  Age 70 years.  The daughter of the late Leon and Stella (Krajniak) Wcisel was born September 6, 1943 in Posen, Michigan and has resided in Bay City all of her life.  She was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, retired from the Oasis Lounge and Giant Supermarket.   Dorothy enjoyed sewing, bingo, was an avid Detroit Tiger Fan and, most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.
Left behind to cherish her memories are four daughters and four sons-in-law, Michelle and Shawn McMillan, Laurel and Mario Gonzales, Tashia Rivard and Eric Underwood, and Renee and Eric Burmeister; one daughter-in-law, Lynn Rundell; grandchildren, Rebecca Pobalis, Melissa (Michael) Noble, Kara (Ryan) Thompson,  Jocelyn and Mario "Rece" Gonzales, Zachary, Gray and Alex Parkhurst, Jamie and Colton McMillan, Zephyrence and Eleanor Underwood; her great grandchildren, Olivia, Lauren, Harper, Larry, Grant, Faith, Hope, Kahile, Kaitlyn; and  her godchild, Steven Ulbricht.  She is also survived by her sisters, brothers,   sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Christine (Steve d.) Chalupniczak, Eleanore (Jack d.) Oliver, Florence (Clarence d.) Sosnowski, Audrey (Frank d.) Wcisel, Leo (Shirley) Wcisel Jr., Delphine (Denny) Vinson, James (Mary Ann) Rivard, Faith Ann (Frank d.) Rivard, Donald Rivard, Roger (Lynn) Rivard, Elaine (Dan) Dell and Geralyn (Michael) McComb; one special nephew, Nicholas Simpson; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and her loving dog Layla. Besides her  parents, she  was  preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Rivard; her son, Patrick Pobalis; sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law noted above and Anna, Gertrude, Theofil, Irene, Edwin (Ernestine) and Florian (Louise) Wcisel, Margette "Marge" Simpson, Gloria, Barbara and Robert Rivard and Lorraine Kolka.
The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Friday, April 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church.  Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Stephen J. Fillion with the Rite of Committal following in Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin.  Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Vigil for the deceased will take place Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Mrs. Rivard will be taken to the church on Friday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. and until the time of the Mass.  Memorial cards for St. Vincent de Paul Society will be available at the funeral home.