Margaret Pelissier

The daughter of Maurice and Gladys (LaChapelle) Burbey, Margaret was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on December 23, 1949.

Margaret was raised in South Marquette where she attended Bishop Baraga High School. She excelled in academics, earned money babysitting, was nominated Sweetheart Queen, and enthusiastically participated in extracurricular activities.

Other than briefly living in Grand Ledge, MI, she spent most of her life in Marquette where she raised her family and was a well-known and cherished member of the community. She worked in Jack’s IGA bakery department and at her parents’ business, Burbey’s Store 4th Street location, which she later owned. She also worked at various retail jobs and had her own cleaning business. Margaret married Peter Pelissier in 1979 and selflessly cared for Pete after he fell ill during the last years of his life until his passing on June 7, 2024.

Margaret had many passions including her pet dogs, baking, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles, and reading her mysteries. She was a previous league bowler, an avid cribbage player (and taught all her children to play from a young age) and enjoyed playing euchre, which she would get together and play with her extended LaChapelle family. She was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan and always looked forward to watching the Olympics. Margaret loved music and was a part of Marquette’s karaoke scene for many years.

Margaret was an extrovert and had the ability to make a person feel loved upon their first meeting. She loved to laugh and attributed her sense of humor to her immediate and very large extended family. Margaret welcomed everybody into her home with warmth and generosity and took pride in hosting family gatherings. It was very important to her that everybody felt at home and cared for. Her warm demeanor, ability to spark up a conversation with a stranger, and colorful personality will leave a long-lasting impression on all who knew her.

Margaret is survived by her four children: Michelle (Stephen) Holiday of Potterville MI, Rebecca (Christopher) Kukla of Appleton WI, Kelly Ann Christian of Marquette MI, and Andrew John Pelissier of Marquette MI. She was a proud Grandmother of 8 Grandchildren: Robert Holliday, Rachel (Jonathon) Haney, Loran Kukla, Ryan Kukla, Scott Kukla, Deidre (Ryan) Schmeltzer, Eric Robbert, and Jenna Karki. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Lowell Merkes, Marsden Merkes, Ivy Schmeltzer, and Penny Schmeltzer. Margaret is also survived by her brother, Jeffery (Mary) Burbey, four nieces and nephews Aaron Burbey, Ellyse Burbey, Jared Burbey, and Emily Burbey, her brother and sister-in-law Ray and Sharon Pelissier, her dogs Rehanna (Reenie) and Beau and remaining LaChapelle and Burbey cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter), 815 S. M-553, Gwinn, MI 49841.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.