William Alexander MCKENZIE {M} = Laurie Catherine SCARPACE¹ {F}

Married 1 November 1974, Hazel Park, Oakland Co, MI at City Hall²
Divorced 17 June 1991, Oakland Co, MI³

William Alexander MCKENZIE:

Born 2 May 1936, Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI
(810) 376-4795, 3690 Lakeshore Rd Deckerville, MI 48427-9648
Graduation Date: JUN 1952
Graduation Place: Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI from Dondero High School
Residence: 2978 N Lake Shore Rd.
Residence Date: from 1991 to the present
Residence Place: Deckerville, Sanilac Co, MI


Laurie Catherine SCARPACE:

Born 10 October 1941, Detroit, Wayne Co, MI at Woman's Hospital⁴
Occupation: Teacher
Baptism Date: 15 MAY 1947
Baptism Place: Detroit, Wayne Co, MI at Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church
Her godparents were her cousins, Patricia Poye and Kenneth Poye.
Confirmation Date: 4 NOV 1951
Confirmation Place: Detroit, Wayne Co, MI at Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church
First communion Date: 29 MAY 1949
First communion Place: Detroit, Wayne Co, MI at Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church
Graduation Date: 13 JUN 1959
Graduation Place: Dearborn, Wayne Co, MI from Dearborn High School
The prom was held three days earlier at Lovett Hall at Greenfield Village, 10 June 1959. Laurie's parents hosted the "grand" after-prom party in their basement. A live band played for the graduates.
Retirement Date: 4 MAR 1994
Retirement Place: Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Co, MI from Bloomfield Hills School District
1998: At this time Laurie is single. (See 10 June 2000 for update! Laurie is no longer single!) She lives with her two cats, Smokey (21 Feb 2002: Smokey died today. He did not recover from the anesthesia administered while he was in to have his teeth cleaned at Berkley Veterinary Hospital - Laurie believes that he died to improper dosing of anesthesia. He was the very best cat anyone could have.) and Charlie. (25 July 2005: Charlie died today at Birmingham, Oakland Co, MI at Gasow Veterinarian Hospital. He had a cancerous mass and other nodules in his abdomen as well as upper respiratory problems.) She was very involved with the MSU Alumni Club of Oakland County, being past editor of the quarterly newsletter and chairing social and fund-raising functions, including the annual Scholarship Auction. She volunteered in 1996, 1997, and 1998 for the annual "Woodward Dream Cruise," reminiscent of the 1950's and '60's. Laurie and Ed were volunteers for the 2000 WDC. She organized family photographs as well as worked on the family tree. She is a former member of Oakland County Genealogy Society, former treasurer of Detroit Society for Genealogy Research, and a member of Magoffin County (KY) Historical Society where most of her research has been. She also belongs to the Royal Oak Woman's Club, is a former member of the Royal Oak Garden Club and the Greater Detroit Hosta Society. She is still trying to keep some plants alive!!
Occupation Date: FROM 1 SEP 1963 TO 4 MAR 1994
Occupation: Laurie seemed to go against Republican family tradition because of her activism in the teacher union movement. She held local, state and national positions, including President of Bloomfield Hills Education Association. Laurie left teaching after more than 30 years to take a temporary position as Uniserv Director for the Michigan Education Association in the Madison Heights office. Unfortunately the position only lasted for 9 months. She took another temp position with the MEA in Allen Park which lasted two months. Finally, her retirement became a reality. She has substitute taught in Berkley School District and Clawson School District - but is happy to be once again back with Bloomfield Hills School District - even if it is only as a substitute teacher.
Occupation Date: 11 MAR 2005
Occupation Place: Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI
Residence: 1259 Harvard
Residence Date: BET 1970 AND 1975
Residence Place: Berkley, Oakland Co, MI
Laurie purchased her first house, in Berkley (with a lot of help from the Credit Union).
Residence: 4030 W. Webster
Residence Date: from 1975 to the present
Residence Place: Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI
Upon her marriage to Bill, she and Bill bought the W. Webster house - about 2 miles from her house in Berkley.
Residence: 144 Yorkshire
Residence Date: FROM 1965 TO 1966
Residence Place: Dearborn Hts, Wayne Co, MI
Misc. event Type: Misc
Misc. event Date: 27 OCT 2004
The Certificate naming the Honarable Laurie Catherine Levy as a Kentucky Colonel was signed by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher and Kentucky Secretary of State Toy Grayson. The accompanying letter (27 Oct 2004) signed by Kentucky State Representative Rick Nelson, 87th Legislative District, said she was nominated (no clue by whom) and her appointment approved as a Kentucky Colonel.

Feb 2005: Found out Pamela Brewer, also an Honorable Kentucky Colonel nominated Laurie.

Nov 2005: Membership Number: 002412543
Misc. event Type: Misc
Misc. event Date: 6 APR 2005
Misc. event Place: East Lansing, Ingham Co, MI at the Kellogg Center
Laurie was in attendance at State Awards Day in spite of the fact she had had a total hip replacement March 14. Some of the younger DAR members found a wheelchair for Laurie and "escorted" her around the hotel for the various functions. Laurie was speechless when she heard her name announced. Several members of Ezra Parker Chapter had written letters on her behalf for the award.
Misc. event Type: NSDAR
Misc. event Date: 17 APR 1999
Misc. event Place: Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI
Laurie received notice of her acceptance into DAR on May 2, 1999. Both dates are significant: April 17 was the 29 anniversary of her father's death and May 2 was her brother Tony's 30th wedding anniversary. Her national membership number is: 791406.
Misc. event Type: NSDAR
Misc. event Date: 9 MAY 2003
Misc. event Place: Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI
What an honor for Laurie who always considered herself an Italian-American with no chance of even having an American Revolutionary War Patriot Ancestor! As Regent of her chapter, she is active in City of Royal Oak activities, and sits on the Boards of the R O Historical Society and the R O Memorial Society.
Misc. event Type: NSDAR
Misc. event Date: 17 MAR 2004
NSDAR took it's own sweet time verifying this 2nd American Revolutionary War Patriot Ancestor for Laurie. But, how sweet it is now that the verification has come through.
Misc. event Type: NSDAR
Misc. event Date: JUL 2003
This is a 3 year term. Mary Ellen Byrne, State Regent, asked Laurie several times to accept the appointment but she refused and offered suggestions of other State DAR women who might be better qualified. In the end, Laurie caved.
Misc. event Type: NSDAR
Misc. event Date: 23 SEP 2005
Misc. event Place: Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co, MI
President General, Presley Merritt Wagoner installed the 2006-2009 Michigan State Society Board. They will not assume office until June 2006.
Misc. event Type: Degree-BA
Misc. event Date: JUN 1963
Misc. event Place: East Lansing, Ingham Co, MI from Michigan State University
Laurie always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She holds a Michigan Permanent Teaching Certificate, K-8, all subjects.
Misc. event Type: Degree-MA
Misc. event Date: JUN 1978
Misc. event Place: East Lansing, Ingham Co, MI from Michigan State University
Her Master's project on gifted and talented elementary students, in lieu of a thesis, was presented at a National Convention in Washington, D.C.
Misc. event Type: Degree-MA
Misc. event Date: JUN 1989
Misc. event Place: East Lansing, Ingham Co, MI from Michigan State University
Misc. event Type: ROWC
Misc. event Date: 7 MAR 2005
Misc. event Place: Royal Oak, Oakland Co, MI
Laurie's friend, Chris Burns, did the Installation Ceremony at Red Run Country Club in Royal Oak, MI. The words Chris spoke were:

Your duties are many, Madam President
To serve as the leader, you've given consent.
Preside at all meetings, call the board to discuss
Issues and problems vital to all of us
Help appoint committees and go to convention
Do hundreds of things we've no time to mention.
But, keep smiling and calm in all that you do
And the club's good wishes we give to you.
You'll handle your duties with patience and tact
Be quick to listen and slow to act.
This jar trimmed like a RAINBOW - an honor I give to you.
Our faith goes with you in all you must do.


Laurie, the office of President carries with it heavy responsibility and varied occasions. You no longer speak as an individual but in the name of and as First Lady of this organization. You must be tactful, dignified, courteous, conscientious, loyal to your office and members and ever steadfast in your devotion to the aims and purposes for which this great club and Federation were formed. With confidence and with prayer, I install you as President of the Royal Oak Woman's Club.

Marriage: For her marriage to Bill McKenzie, Laurie's mother, 2 brothers and their wives were in attendance. Bill has two children, Susan Margaret (McKenzie) Talbot and Scott Arthur McKenzie, from a previous marriage.
Divorce: Since their divorce, Bill and Laurie have remained on friendly terms.

1 : "Based on personal information/living during the person's lif"
1a: "Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church, Detroit, MI 48227,"
1b: "Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church, Detroit, MI 48227,"; Primary evidence
1c: "Our Lady Gate of Heaven Catholic Church, Detroit, MI 48227,"; Primary evidence
1d: "Dearborn High School, Diploma"; Page Dearborn High School; Primary evidence
1e: "Michigan State University, Diploma"; Primary evidence
1f: "Michigan State University, Diploma"; Primary evidence
1g: "Michigan State University, Diploma"; Primary evidence
2 : "Oakland Co., MI, Marriage License"; Page State File # 0880874
3 : "Oakland Co, MI, Divorce Decree"; Page Oakland County, MI
4 : "State of Michigan, Birth Certificate"; Page Detroit, Wayne Co., MI; Primary evidence