Loretta Sabina Markell

Loretta Markell, age 89, passed away on April 18, 2026 at her home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.

She was born October 21, 1936 in Detroit Michigan, the daughter of Zygmund Karaszewski and Jean Biernat. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Donald Luca.

In addition to her husband Andrew, she is survived by one son, Steven Luca, of Palm Harbor, Florida; her grandsons Vincent Luca of Tampa, Florida and Alexander Luca of Clearwater, Florida; her brothers David Karaszewski of Springdale, Utah and Stanley Karaszewski of Aptos, California; and her stepdaughter Barbara Thomas and her grandson Carter Thomas both of Franklin, Kentucky.

A lifetime resident of southeastern Michigan, Loretta was throughout her life characterized by courage, kindness, empathy, generosity, and ready humor. Always ready to help members of her own and her husband’s families, she many times took them in times of need. She was a great lover of the natural world, and felt a deep kinship with its inhabitants.

Loretta was an artist, fascinated by the work of other artists, and compelled always to explore and create her own art. After raising her two sons and meeting her second husband Andrew, she earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art at Wayne State University. She shared her love and passion for art as a docent at the Detroit Institute of Art for over twenty years, conducting tours in the museum and also reaching out as a member of the museum’s speakers’ bureau.

She was an active participant in Birmingham Society of Women Painters, where she was a past president, and the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors where until up to shortly before passing she was the Communications Secretary. Her work has appeared in many local galleries and is in several private collections.

Loretta made this world a better place and will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, on April 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A Funeral Service was scheduled for A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, for April 25, 2026, at 4:00 pm.

Beverly Ann Zimmermann, age 90, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026. Born on September 20, 1935, to Jessie and Edward Watson, Beverly was raised in Detroit Michigan where she attended Cass Technical High School and later on earned a degree in accounting from Wayne State University. Beverly began her professional career as an accountant with Michigan Consolidated Gas.

In September 1964 she married Alan Zimmermann. They shared many happy years together. Beverly had a deep passion for the arts and travel. She was a gifted and prolific painter, finding joy and expression through her work. As a proud member of the Pointe Studio Ten critique group and the Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors, she shared her creativity with others and formed lasting friendships. She also loved music and spent countless hours tending to her garden. Beverly will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and artistic spirit. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her family and beauty through her art.

She is survived by her two incredibly amazing sons Erich and Kurt, and her grandchildren, Jessie, Ella, Meghan, Zachary, and Katie. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alan Zimmermann (1999).

A memorial service was scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 20338 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.

Joyce Manke (89) died peacefully on May 29, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was an inventive artist, with a for painting in watercolors, and she won several awards. She served DSWPS for many years as the crackerjack editor of the DSWPS Newsletter, and she bravely bridged the gap from print to the newsletter’s present electronic version.

Many, many of Joyce’s art works were generously offered to attendees at a memorial on August 17, 2025. Here is just a small portion of the work on display, with DSWPS members Susan Jager, Nobuko Yamasaki, Jackie Rybinski, Carol LaChiusa, and Lori Zurvalec.

Sadly, we report the death January 30, 2025 of Julie Sabit, longtime Society Historian. For her many services to DSWPS over the years, she was made an Honorary Member in 2016. Julie was a prolific artist who specialized in memorializing quirks in the everyday life of ordinary people. She was a reliable, good friend to all and leaves a large empty place in our numbers.

With great sadness, we report the death December 21, 2024, of Bette Prudden, a former president of DSWPS and an honorary member since 2016. She was known for pastel portraits, watercolors of flowing waters, leopard-spotted accessories, and high jinx. She will be sorely missed.

Charmaine Kaptur

From the Grosse Pointe News, May 8, 2024:

Barbara Eko Murphy (Jeff Cancellosi’s obituary)

Rest in peace, my dear friend and fellow artist Barbara Eko Murphy (June 22, 1940 - December 20, 2023). Barbara was the glue and inspiration for so many people in her life. Barbara was love.

Barbara Eko Murphy, December 30, 2014; photo: (c) 2014 Jeff Cancelosi

Barbara Eko Murphy was born to Waino Eko and Ailie Lindquist Eko. Her brother, Wayne Eko, was born on June 9, 1943. Both Wayne and Barbara attended Durfee Middle School and Longfellow School in Detroit, Michigan. The family relocated to Dearborn Heights in 1954. Barbara attended Lowrey High School.

After graduating from LHS in 1958, Barbara was selected as one of the first 25 dancers in the Detroit City Ballet Company, where she danced from 1958 to 1960. She started ballet lessons at age 8 and continued until she was 21. Barbara was married to Ray Kruszewski 1960-1983. Ray passed away in 1989. They had two children, Mark and Kevin Kruszewski. (Mark passed away suddenly in 1997.)

Barbara attended Wayne State University, graduating in December 1965. She received her teaching certificate at the University of Michigan and earned her master's degree at Eastern Michigan University. She taught for over 34 years in Livonia Public Schools. She taught at Cleveland, Kennedy, Randolph, Clay, and Taylor Elementary. She retired on a medical disability in 1999, after three heart surgeries.

Barbara married fellow teacher, Tom Murphy, on June 4, 1988. Tom was with Barbara every step of the rest of her life, supporting her in all her pursuits and showing incredible dedication throughout her fight with ALS the last few years.

Learning never stops! Barbara began learning how to create art when she was 60 years old. Over the next 20 years, she received 42 fine art awards, had 53 solo shows, and had pieces selected for over 450 juried shows. She also belonged to Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale, Michigan.

In the last year, as Barbara’s illness progressed, she shared the above biography with me. She also left the following message to be shared after her passing: “Barbara hopes that she inspired her students and her artist friends to continue with what they love. She thanks you for both your friendship and caring. God bless you.” Barbara asked that contributions be made to Angela Hospice in Livonia (where she spent her final days) and to ALS of Michigan in Southfield.

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