Chalup family needs your help

From staff reports

The Empire community lost a dear friend and familiar face on Jan. 21 with the passing of Marykate Chalup, who was 52 years old. Chalup worked at both Deering’s Market and at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (the local branch of the National Park Service). Devoted and loving parents of four children, Marykate and her husband Jeff moved to Empire in the 1990s partly so that their eldest daughter, Amy, could attend The Leelanau School, the private college-prep high school in nearby Glen Arbor. In addition to Jeff and Amy, Marykate is survived by three other children, Matt, Paul and Sarah.

Marykate didn’t have health insurance, and her family now faces the additional challenge of paying off a mountain of medical bills. In a country without health insurance, it’s our job as members of the community who knew Marykate to step in and help, not just with our words of compassion but with our wallets. There’s a donation jar at Deering’s Market, and funds set up for Marykate Chalup at both Empire banks — Huntington Bank (payable to “Chalup Family Fund,” 10210 Front Street, Empire, MI 49630, call 231-922-5753 for information) and State Savings Bank (231-326-4003). Checks and cash both accepted.

This cold winter season, the needy are looking to you, from Empire to Haiti.
(—the Editors)

A force to be reckoned with

… and here are a few memories and diddies about Marykate that were shared at her memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Courtesy of good friend Pete Lavalley.

This portion of the service is to share memories of Marykate plagiarizing NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”

‘These memories have been thoroughly researched”

“Your responses to the memories have not been.”

“Anyone objecting to these statements should, (as Marykate would say, ‘Get a Life’ or ‘Bite Me.’)

Most of us found out about the Chalup family via Rumor Central of Empire, otherwise known as “Tiffany’s House of 3 flavors. Well, maybe if the ice cream truck arrived.” The chatter was ‘Have you heard? Someone with a bunch of kids bought the Taghon House on Main Street AND they’re from Midland!”

That’s how Marykate and family arrived on the scene. We quickly learned that family and children were her top priority, which of course brings to mind, and I’m quoting here, “It’s a Chalup thing.” She used this expression quite often to explain the incredible things that would happen to the family — it was Marykate’s version of “Murphy’s Law”.

We soon realized that Marykate was a force to be reckoned with. She said exactly what she thought. But it wasn’t just what she said but the way that she said it! We know she had a Staples “Easy” button, but luckily she had no censor button. We know this because she took on the educational system (504 Plan) as well as the local political system. “Empire Planning anyone?” And of course any time there was an issue or cause that needed to be defended you could be certain that a well-written Marykate “Letter to the Editor” would appear.

Marykate was a chameleon when it came to change, to career choices, to family crises, or to major changes in her life.

She had her “D” list — a “D”egree in child development, then a manager at a “D”isabled Adult home, then on to a “D”ay care facility (love of children was always her “thing”), as campground manager at “D.” H. Day in the National Park, and finally “D” for doughnuts at Deerings.

Anything she took on she would run — she became the “go see Marykate” on all things related to the government forms at the National Park or with dealing with the State of Michigan. And she retooled the Empire Business Website just for something to do.

To say that Marykate had a “quirky” personality is putting it mildly. One of her best ‘quirks”, which I’m certain most of us had the pleasure to receive, or to see, was her “Cheshire Cat Grin” that was reserved for anyone foolish enough to ask a question that had an obvious answer. She certainly enjoyed using that grin on unsuspecting tourists who assumed that her house was always for sale.

Collecting the offbeat was her hobby. They include anything related to Santa Claus, UGH dolls, a house full of pets, kitchy souvenirs from her trips, a collection of pencils with logos or slogans, and offbeat bumper stickers. Of course, not to be omitted are her wonderful collection of people who are here today to honor her.

She enjoyed supporting the local community. She continued the Empire volunteer tradition(s) as the Parade Lady for Anchor Day, she organized the Empire Christmas Dinner, and participated in the Winter Fest and the Holiday Art Market.

If a volunteer was needed Marykate would step up.

If you needed an ear, she was there to listen

If you needed an advocate, she was there.

If you needed a shoulder, you could count on her.

But now we all need to step up and be there for each other. Marykate certainly showed us how it’s done.