Mary “Eva” (Clarke) Popa, 77, of Traverse City died peacefully on January 9, 2019 at Munson Hospice House from complications due to gallbladder cancer. Eva was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in 2014. Although she went through treatment, the cancer remained active.
Eva was born on June 28, 1941 in English Harbor East in Newfoundland, Canada. On December 2, 1961 Mary Eva Clarke married the love of her life, Chester “Chet” Popa in Newfoundland. They shared 55 wonderful years together before he passed away on November 10, 2017.
Eva was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife and friend. She was known by many as Nana, others as Aunt Eva and will be greatly missed. In Eva’s earlier years she was an avid fisherman.
Eva retired from United Technologies/Lear Corporation after 16 years from automotive manufacturing. Eva enjoyed many favorite things in her life. Those included; John Wayne and Chuck Norris movies, a love of music including; Elvis, Charlie Pride and Johnny Cash.
Eva was a constant collector of many things including Shirley Temple dolls. Later in Eva’s free time, she enjoyed trips to the casino and watching Notre Dame Football and was a huge fan of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. In the last year, Eva’s canine partner, Mylo was a great joy to her and she loved having her great grand-dog to keep her company on a daily basis.
Eva was preceded in death by her beloved husband Chet, her son Eric Wayne; mother Margaret and father Charles Clarke; her grandmother and grandfather James and Julia Mitchell who raised Eva and her sister Liz after their mother died at an early age. Eva is survived by her children Linda (Dr. Scott) Smith of Adrian, Philip (Carol) Popa of Traverse City, Brenda (Thomas) Crandall of Williamsburg; grandchildren, Eric (Heather) Bagley, Hope Vittorelli, Jared Popa, Adam (Shelby Crank) Miller, and Allyson Popa; great grandchildren, Olivia Rose Anderson, Elijah Matthew and Ariana Eva Miller, and Greyson Benjamin Bagley; a sister Liz (Jerry) Hickey; and a step-son Broc Crandall and many nieces and nephews. Eva is also survived by a daughter she gave up for adoption when she was 19 years old.
Arlaine Byrd (Ed) Chaulk who currently live in Nova Scotia, Canada, along with Eva’s other grandchildren; Michael, Casey and Liam. Eva and Chet were able to travel and meet Arlaine and her family while on a trip to Nova Scotia. A memorial service will be held for family and friends to celebrate Eva’s life on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm and the service will begin at 4:30pm. A fellowship gathering will be held after the service at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice House.
Please share your memories with the family at Eva’s online guestbook at www. reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
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