Genevieve "Jean" Pilat

Pilat, Genevieve “Jean” passed away on November 28, 2022 at the age of 88. Dearest mother of Gary Pilat. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; her parents, Stanley and Katherine Kulesza; her sister Virginia Shugar and her brother, Richard Kulesza as well as many cousins and friends. Visitation is on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 1 pm to 8 pm at The Allen Park Chapel of The Martenson Family of Funeral Home, 10915 Allen Rd. (Corner of Goddard). Jean will lie in state on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 6442 Pelham Rd., Taylor from 9:30 am until the time of the Funeral Liturgy at 10 am. Interment St. Hedwig cemetery. To share a memory visit martenson.com

Below is a tribute from Genevieve's son, Gary Pilat:

After God, my mother loved the following things in life (not necessarily in this order):

Playing Bingo – Although never smoking a cigarette in her life, Jean developed a nasty cough from the 50 plus years she spent in Bingo halls. The Russian Hall on Friday, the Democratic Club on Sunday, and Our Lady Queen of Angels on Monday were her favorites.

Aunt Helen’s Potato Salad – the best hands down.

Kentucky Fried Chicken – As long as I removed the breading and deboned it.

Baking – especially cookies and cupcakes for the Our Lady Queen of Angels Bake Sales many years ago. Her specialty were cheesecakes which were second to none.

Working at Tiger Stadium – A love/hate relationship that went on for 16 years as she often complained but secretly loved the people. Next to the Tiger games, she got the biggest kick working the Kiss concert there. That was the most money she ever made in tips in one day. She couldn’t understand why the young kids were giving her $20 for an $8 beer and telling her to keep the change. I didn’t have the heart to explain it to her.

Eating Pierogis – especially from Our Savior church.

Eating Angel Wings – exclusively from Our Savior church. I often said that in mom’s world, this would be the currency.

Onions – she put them in everything. Til today I still hate them.

My father, Hank – They were married for 44 years before my dad passed away in 1999 and mom never missed honoring him and his memory.

Knitting/Crocheting – Many an Afghan and showers gifts were made and donated by Jean thru the years. Some people tell me they still have them.

Donating to charities – Santa does not get as much mail around Christmas time as mom did from various charities. And rarely did she NOT cut them a check in return.

Her friends and family – Delphine, Emily, Wanda, Helen, Connie, Hattie, Virgie – the list goes on and on. Hopefully she is with them now reminiscing about the old days and fun times