November 2, 1982 – December 7, 2018
Detroit native Kelly Stough, also known as Keanna Mattel, was shot and killed in an anti-trans murder on E. McNichols near Palmer Park. She attended MacKenzie High School and was active in Detroit’s ballroom scene as part of the Legendary Iconic House of Ebony. Police arrested and charged a Sterling Heights pastor for Stough’s death.
April 17, 1934 – January 31, 2010
A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Suzanne “Suzie” Dowden majored in physical education at Miami University of Ohio and earned her Master’s from the University of Michigan in 1966. She taught at Eastern Michigan University and had a varied career of teaching, counseling, and coaching in Detroit, Ferndale, and Kalkaska. Dowden lived in Traverse City with her partner of 42 years Connie Riopelle.
May 8, 1948 – January 19, 1995
Ferndale resident and pioneering AIDS activist Richard William Villaire was born in Wyandotte and attended Roseville High School and Ferris State University before earning his B.A. in psychology at Eastern Michigan University. He was an officer of the Michigan Organization for Human Rights and was a founder of Wellness Networks, Friends Alliance, and the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project.
August 5, 1984 – March 7, 2013
Pleasant Ridge resident Anthony Leonard Maniaci was born in Detroit. He worked as a popular bartender at Menjo’s and Backstreet in Detroit, and at Pronto in Royal Oak. At the time of his death, Maniaci was manager at Inuendo.
June 14, 1949 – February 1, 2017
Lansing native and former resident Vicki “Vic” Fitzpatrick earned her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and Master’s from Central Michigan. She was a social worker for Community Mental Health and prevention coordinator for Clinton County Substance Abuse Center in St. Johns. In 1991, Fitzpatrick relocated to Florida, where she lived with her spouse Sandra Hudson.
December 7, 1957 – January 3, 2016
Born in Milan, Colleen Brewer attended Northville High School and worked at Northville Labs, before she moved to Virginia in 1982. She was employed for 33 years as accounts receivable manager for CACI International. Brewer was survived by Kim Memeger, her partner of 17 years and wife of 45 days.
April 30, 1933 – October 2, 2015
Wanda Hope Jubb was born in Nunica and went on to a distinguished career in education. She earned her Bachelor’s and two M.A.s from Western Michigan University and her Ed.D. from the University of Alabama. She taught and coached in the Vicksburg Public Schools and for 24 years served with the Michigan Department of Education. She was preceded in death by her partner Muriel Van Patten.
April 27, 1932 – May 28, 2013
Born in the small town of Quincy, Muriel Van Patten earned her B.A. and M.A. at Eastern Michigan University. She taught visual arts at Fenton High School and served as an elementary art teacher and principal in the Wayne-Westland Schools. She retired from the Michigan Department of Education. Van Patten had her own art shown in numerous exhibitions. She was survived by her partner Wanda Jubb.
August 19, 1948 – July 19, 2014
A mother and grandmother, Margaret Lillian Boes owned and operated Paper Moon Decorating in Grand Rapids for more than four decades. She shared a home with Tami Groothuis, her life partner of 25 years, and enjoyed fishing and camping on Gun Lake in southwestern lower Michigan.
November 7, 1948 – November 5, 2010
Mary Frances Crimmins of was born in Port Huron and graduated from Saints Peter & Paul High School in Saginaw. She pursued a lifelong career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She volunteered with Edgewood UCC Health Ministry and the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Crimmins was survived by her life partner Carol Grayhawk.
Michigan LGBTQ Remember 