MaryFrances “MaryFran, Fran, Franny” Kolp, the loving wife of Andrew “Andy” Kolp, went to be with her Lord on June 20, 2018. Born Mary Frances Peterlin on July 3, 1967, in Dearborn, Michigan to Daniel and Carole Peterlin, MaryFran spent her early childhood in Romulus, MI before moving to South Lyon, MI, with her family where she excelled in track, basketball and volleyball for South Lyon High School. One of MaryFran’s cherished memories was traveling to Rome, Italy in 1984 as a chosen delegate to the first World Jubilee, witnessing Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa pray with teens from around the globe.
MaryFran attended Grand Valley State University (GVSU) on academic scholarship. At GVSU, she played basketball and competed in track and field. While pursuing her dual major (Bachelors in Physical Education and Biology), she set University records for the 50-Meter Hurdles and 100-Meter Hurdles—records that stand to this day.
MaryFran’s athletic talents were further recognized when she was inducted into the South Lyon High School Hall of Fame on October 27, 2007. After graduating GVSU in 1990, MaryFran earned a Masters degree in Exercise Science and completed her Ph.D. in Exercise Science and Health Education (emphasizing in pediatrics) at the University of Toledo. MaryFran and Andy fell in love and married on August 16, 1996, and made their life in Boyne City and, more recently, Petoskey, MI.
They filled their home with love and joy hosting gatherings of all sorts and sizes. She always found a reason to celebrate even the small things in life and everyone was included. While raising their children, Daniel and Megan, MaryFran used her degrees as substitute-teacher for Charlevoix and Emmett Counties and consulting as a wellness expert at the Northern Michigan Hospital Foundation.
She also served as president for the Northern Michigan Medical Society Alliance and participated in the many community projects they support. A real Renaissance woman, MaryFran quickly rose to Executive District Manager for Arbonne International (2004 until her death), worked as Special Project Assistant for Glennwood Custom Builders, wrote grants to aid in the development of cardiovascular disease risk interventions for the local hospital, and in 2006 as an advocate for healthy eating, co-started an organic cooking club at Julienne Tomatoes. MaryFran’s generous volunteerism extended to her family’s parish St. Francis Xavier, where her children also attended school.
She participated in and or led their most successful fundraisers for more than fourteen years. Additionally, she coached St. Francis girls volleyball and basketball teams, blessing many girls with new-found confidence and sense of belonging. Her efforts were recognized in 2014 when she was received the St. Francis Xavier “Crusader Award” for setting an excellent example of a servant leader.
MaryFran’s faith in God and family were her priorities and regularly practiced her gift of making instant friends of newcomers and basically anyone she met. Always the first to recognize a need (and act on it), Fran’s kind heart, uncanny wisdom, bright (albeit different colored) eyes, and word mash-ups like, “Fantabulous! ” will be sorely missed by all.
St. Francis and Petoskey basketball and volleyball teams will miss her cheering them on. Her encouragement and radiant smile made every kid on the team feel like her own. Regardless of what the scoreboard read at the buzzer, MaryFran’s gracious competitive spirit made her a winner her whole life.
She never knew what losing felt like because she always found a silver lining. She is survived by her devoted husband Andy and adored children Danny and Megan; parents, Daniel and Carole Peterlin; sister Natalie (Josh) Reed; in-laws Carl and Carol Kolp and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will take place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26th in Petoskey.
Visitation is planned for Monday evening at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The family asks instead of wearing tradition black, that celebrants wear MaryFran’s favorite colors of purple and blue and or floral patterns. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MaryFran Kolp ALS Fund at McLaren Northern Michigan or the MaryFran Kolp Athletic Scholarship at St. Francis Xavier School.
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