Dorothy Frances Marchal

Dorothy Frances Marchal born September 18, 1929 passed peacefully on November 3, 2022, in the presence of her children. The mother of 8, she worked hard all her life, earning the admiration of her children, her loving husband Gerald F. Marchal and those around her, for the time and care she devoted to her family. She inspired us to live a good and honest life, teaching us to be kind to those we meet. She had a strong sense of humor and loved to laugh. We’ll forever see her eyes sparkle, full of the joy of family, and of life. Her greatest love is her children, and she shared with them, so much of the other loves of her life. Those included gardening, canning, cooking from scratch (and packing sack lunches), travelling, camping, fishing, playing games including cards and bowling. She spent many years working at the board of elections, as well as volunteering to cook for the German American festival. She was very proud of her German heritage, and once took a European trip with her sisters. She loved the piano, music and concerts. She loved the Detroit Tigers, never giving up on them. She carried that fight into everything she did, as when she held our hand or put her cheek to ours one last time, still filling us with warmth and comfort. We will miss her dearly, but her joy was contagious and will live with us forever. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Marchal, her youngest son David Marchal, parents William and Eva Hildebrandt, sisters Henrietta Heldt and Linda Foster, brother William Hildebrandt, brothers-in-law Art Heldt, Dennis Foster and James Witty, grandsons Eric Misejka and Lucas Hassen, and her special friend Gilbert Wingate. Dorothy is survived by her sister Evalyn Witty; her children Kathy (Jim) Lemon, Judy (Bob) Hassen, Jerry (Sue) Marchal, Mary (Gary) Struck, Sue (Mark) Misejka, Beth (Joe) Solomon, Bill (Andrea) Marchal, daughter in law Cathy Marchal, and roughly 75 grandchildren and great grandchildren.