Mary
Claire
Lackamp
August 26, 1930 - February 17, 2020
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Claire Lackamp (nee Voss) announces her passing on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the age of 89.
Born as Mary Doran in Grand Rapids in 1930, she graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1948 and earned an Associate’s Degree in 1951, before marrying Alton William Voss, Jr. in 1953. They settled down to raise five children, eventually arriving in Berkley, where she resided until her passing. While raising her family, she divorced in 1974 and began the next chapter of her life.
After a brief stint at the Red Barn fast food restaurant, Mary found the job that changed her life at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, where she worked in the Student Affairs Office from 1974-2003. The unofficial “Mom” of the school, she touched and guided students from every class. Mary’s influence on U of D High and the multitude of students she interacted with during her tenure is impossible to overstate. Her grace, compassion, pragmatism, and wit were on display daily as she shepherded many young men through their high school years.
During her years at U of D Jesuit, Mary met and eventually married the love of her life, Leo Lackamp. The couple wed in 1990.
Mary adopted the Jesuit value of “Men and Women for Others” and applied it in her personal life. She was an active community member after her retirement. She committed her time to several groups and causes, most notably Beaumont Hospital, the Community Food Bank of Hazel Park, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who awarded her their highest honor. She was also a dedicated member of Our Lady of La Salette Parish for over 50 years, serving in several capacities.
Mary left a very active life. Time with her family was always a great joy for her. She loved going to basketball games, especially at U of D High. She attended almost every Detroit Tiger Opening Day since 1975. She enjoyed local theater, the opera, movies, and traveling. Going to dinner was a favorite pastime, always with an array of close friends, who are too numerous to mention. That dozens of people consider her their closest friend is evidence of her character and generosity of spirit. Mary was always up for an adventure, and in each activity that she participated, she brought with her that special combination of grace, strength, compassion, and humor.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Leo Lackamp, son Andrew Voss, Daughter Mary Martin, and grandson Joseph Martin. She is survived by her brother Frank Doran (Elaine), sons Alton William Voss, III, Joseph Voss (Karen), Thomas Voss, and seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Family will receive friends Friday, February 28, 2020 from 2-8pm with a 7pm Scripture and Remembrance Service at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave. (btwn 13-14 Mile), (248) 549-0500.
Funeral Mass Saturday, February 29, 2020, 10:30am at Our Lady of La Salette Catholic Church, 2600 Harvard Rd., Berkley. Visitation at church begins at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes to the American Heart Association.
~Lovingly written by the family.
Born as Mary Doran in Grand Rapids in 1930, she graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1948 and earned an Associate’s Degree in 1951, before marrying Alton William Voss, Jr. in 1953. They settled down to raise five children, eventually arriving in Berkley, where she resided until her passing. While raising her family, she divorced in 1974 and began the next chapter of her life.
After a brief stint at the Red Barn fast food restaurant, Mary found the job that changed her life at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, where she worked in the Student Affairs Office from 1974-2003. The unofficial “Mom” of the school, she touched and guided students from every class. Mary’s influence on U of D High and the multitude of students she interacted with during her tenure is impossible to overstate. Her grace, compassion, pragmatism, and wit were on display daily as she shepherded many young men through their high school years.
During her years at U of D Jesuit, Mary met and eventually married the love of her life, Leo Lackamp. The couple wed in 1990.
Mary adopted the Jesuit value of “Men and Women for Others” and applied it in her personal life. She was an active community member after her retirement. She committed her time to several groups and causes, most notably Beaumont Hospital, the Community Food Bank of Hazel Park, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who awarded her their highest honor. She was also a dedicated member of Our Lady of La Salette Parish for over 50 years, serving in several capacities.
Mary left a very active life. Time with her family was always a great joy for her. She loved going to basketball games, especially at U of D High. She attended almost every Detroit Tiger Opening Day since 1975. She enjoyed local theater, the opera, movies, and traveling. Going to dinner was a favorite pastime, always with an array of close friends, who are too numerous to mention. That dozens of people consider her their closest friend is evidence of her character and generosity of spirit. Mary was always up for an adventure, and in each activity that she participated, she brought with her that special combination of grace, strength, compassion, and humor.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Leo Lackamp, son Andrew Voss, Daughter Mary Martin, and grandson Joseph Martin. She is survived by her brother Frank Doran (Elaine), sons Alton William Voss, III, Joseph Voss (Karen), Thomas Voss, and seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Family will receive friends Friday, February 28, 2020 from 2-8pm with a 7pm Scripture and Remembrance Service at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave. (btwn 13-14 Mile), (248) 549-0500.
Funeral Mass Saturday, February 29, 2020, 10:30am at Our Lady of La Salette Catholic Church, 2600 Harvard Rd., Berkley. Visitation at church begins at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes to the American Heart Association.
~Lovingly written by the family.
Visitation
A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel)
32515 Woodward Ave (btwn 13-14 Mile)
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Royal Oak, MI US 48073
Scripture Service & Sharing of Memories at 7 pm
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Funeral Mass
Our Lady of La Salette Church
2600 Harvard at Coolidge
Berkley, MI US 48072
Berkley, MI US 48072
Visitation begins at 10:00 AM
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American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
Dallas, TX 75231
The American Heart Association's mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. The association was founded in 1924 and today is the nation's largest national voluntary health agency devoted to defeating heart disease and stroke, which together claim about 950,000 lives each year and rank as our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. To prevent, treat and ultimately defeat these diseases, the association funds research, creates and implements professional and public education programs focusing on improving emergency care and reducing risk factors, holds community service activities and engages in advocacy efforts to safeguard American's health.
