Margaret Bilsky

Margaret died at her home peacefully with family by her side just a month shy of her 95th birthday on Friday, February 28, 2025.  Margaret and her identical twin sister Mary Jane, her big brother, Dick, and baby brother, Larry, were raised in the idyllic lakeshore town of Frankfort, Michigan by their loving parents Lawrence and Beryl Abbott.

Following high school graduation, Margaret attended Benzie County Normal and Central Michigan College. In 1952 she took a teaching job in Grand Rapids and became a life-long resident.  She married her teacher husband John Paul Bilsky in 1953 in a double wedding ceremony with her twin sister and soon-to-be husband Stan Franklin. Stan almost got two wives in that deal when the Minister became confused during the “do you take this woman” portion!

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband John, her daughter Melissa Haynes Bilsky, her sister Mary Jane Franklin, her brothers Richard (Dick) Abbott and Lawrence (Larry) Abbott, her brother-in-law Stanley P. Franklin, her sisters-in-law Doris Abbott and Eleanor Abbott, her niece Kathy DeBarr, her nephew Jim Abbott and her nephew-in-law Terry DeBarr. She is survived by her children Larry Bilsky of Cuenca, Ecuador, Patty (Keith) Rosely of Cincinnati, John (Moe) Bilsky of Holland; and grandchildren Katie Bilsky, Jared (Darielle) Rosely, Melissa (Roy) Rosely Wells, Meaghan (Vincent Reed) Bilsky, and Connor Bilsky; and great grandchildren Delanie Gulley, Declan Rosely, Denton Rosely, Zoey Cornelius, Xander Bilsky.

Also surviving are nieces and nephews: Tim (Margaret) Franklin, Peg Franklin, Julie Abbott, Cyndi Abbott, Rich (Mary) Abbott, plus great nieces and nephews: Abby (Joe) Franklin-Bly and their children Ezra Franklin-Bly and Leo Franklin-Bly; Kate (Doug) Hickey, Will Abbott, Ellie (Ryan) Abbott Travis and their daughter Mallory Travis, and Tate Abbott.

Margaret’s career focused on early childhood education. She was a Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher and spent a decade-plus as the first Director of the Child Care Center at Grand Valley State University. 

A 66-year member of First (Park) Congregational Church, Margaret’s love for music was deepened through her choir membership and the three trips taken by the Chancel Choir to England, Italy, and Germany. She was active in Women’s Fellowship, as a leader in Bishop Ten and in Park Partners.

In retirement, Margaret served as treasurer for the local chapter of Church Women United. Her creativity flourished through her quilt making and other textile arts, as well as on stage as she and Mary Jane stole the show at the annual Talent Show produced by their retirement community in Nokomis, Florida.  

An exceptional storyteller (Let’s Go on a Bear Hunt), Margaret will be remembered as a cracker-jack card and game player, a lover of travel, for her flair for fashion, and as the instigator of creating exceptional family memories across the generations.

A memorial service honoring the extraordinary life of Margaret Bilsky will take place on Saturday, March 29 at 11 AM at First Park Congregational Church, followed by a light lunch. Memorial contributions can be made to the music program at Park Church.

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