Marion Curtis, 98, passed away at her home on June 1st. She was born Marion Frances Tangalakis in Alma, Michigan on August 25, 1920 and grew up in St. Louis, Michigan, a small farming community where her parents operated a candy/food store. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in English and Science Studies and a teaching certificate. She taught English and history in the 1940’s at Ionia High School. While attending college, she frequently played her violin and piano at various functions and was a life long enthusiast of the arts. She began a master’s degree in education at Columbia University in New York. In 1948 Marion married George Curtis and for fifteen years owned and managed the very popular “Curtis Chicken in the Rough” restaurant at 207 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor. It was one of the first restaurant franchises in the United States. During that time, she and her husband, who were great believers in the central business district, began purchasing and remodeling commercial buildings, even when businesses were vacating the downtown and relocating to Briarwood Mall. Marion and George were the founders of what is now known as Curtis Commercial. Her unflinching belief in the central core never wavered. In 1962, she and her husband received the “Pace Setters Award” from the City of Ann Arbor due to their development of the Curtis Building located at 343 S. Main St., which is currently the home of Real Seafood Company Restaurant. Marion loved the University of Michigan and especially enjoyed the marching band on Saturday game days and the football team, which she followed closely. Her hobbies were jogging, walking, reading non-fiction, and traveling. After the passing of her husband in 1990, she traveled to Egypt, Israel, France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, China, Panama, and Greece, where her husband and her parents were born. She loved people and whomever she met she would not only remember their names but their life’s story. She was a help to many and an inspiration to all. She always had a smile and interest for people she met. She loved young people and the energy that the youth brought to Ann Arbor. Marion is survived by her son James Curtis (Linda) and grandchildren Kathryn Gardiner (George), David Curtis and Margaret Curtis and son John Curtis (Mary) and grandchildren Benjamin Curtis (Maya), Andrew Curtis (Miyuki), and Emily Rosdal (Aaron) and 7 great grandchildren, her brother Stanley Tangalakis (Nancy) and sister Helen Theofilis of Clearwater, FL and many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 11 AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 with Fr. Nicolaos H. Kotsis officiating. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. The visitation will be on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 3 PM to 8 PM with a Trisagion Service at 7 PM at Muehlig Funeral Chapel. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. To sign Marion's guestbook visit www.muehligannarbor.com
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