Marie Helena Rees

Marie Helena Rees, 76, of Romeo, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2022, surrounded by her husband and family.

Marie graduated from Romeo High School in 1964 and continued her education at Eastern Michigan University. She spent the majority of her professional career at Macomb Community College where she was the Coordinator for the Macombers, Magic Company, and Garfield Singers and all of MCC’s summer programs as the Educational Outreach and Enrichment Coordinator until her retirement in 2017. Prior to MCC, Marie spent time as an elementary school teacher and as a Sales Associate for Hudson’s Department store.

Marie was a dedicated and devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and friend to all who had the privilege to know and love her. She was a proud Finn who embodied SISU in everything she did, including her valiant battle that ultimately took her from us. Marie’s family and friends were always her priority and spending time with them was her greatest joy. Whether it was watching another sunset at their cottage at Sunset Shores in Port Austin, meeting old friends from high school for lunch around Romeo, or just an impromptu visit at their home in Romeo. If you needed a friendly ear, Marie was always there and the coffee was always on. Marie also loved music as it was “in her blood” and found her true calling when she joined Macomb Community College in 1997. While the opportunity to be surrounded by music every day was a dream come true, she found the most joy and pride in seeing the students she worked so closely with through the years find success and happiness as they became adults. And in true Marie fashion, she would never take an ounce of credit for helping them achieve those successes.

Marie was one of the most generous, kind, caring, and compassionate people most will ever meet and she will be sorely missed.

Marie was predeceased by her father, E.C.H “Buck” Ojala; mother, Tynne Ojala; brother, Richard Ojala; and sister, Nancy Readle.

Marie is survived by her husband, David Rees, her sons, David “Joshua” Rees (Erika), Jeremy Rees (Lisa), and her daughter Janna Rees (Todd Strozeski) as well as her 2 beautiful grandchildren, Rory and Sherry, 3 grand dogs, 3 grand cats, her sister, Elaine Hoekwater, and numerous In-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Per Marie’s request, a celebration of life will be held in her honor on Saturday, November 5th, 2022 from 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m., which will include a brief remembrance and prayer service at 3:30 p.m., at the Romeo Masonic Lodge, 231 N Main St, Romeo, Michigan. The family invites all who were blessed to have known Marie to please come and share your favorite memory, song, or story as we celebrate the joy she brought to us all. The family encourages those attending to avoid the traditional black formal funeral attire as this is to be a celebration rather than a solemn remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Lung association, or any charity supporting music and the arts in schools in Marie’s honor. Also memorial gifts can be made online to the Marie Rees Macombers Endowed Scholarship at: ( www.macomb.edu/give ) or gifts can be mailed to the MCC Foundation, 14500 E. 12 mile road, Warren, Mi 48088 with checks made payable to the MCC Foundation.

Local arrangements by the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home in Romeo, Mi.