Eva M. Boicourt

Eva Marie Eve Boicourt, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the age of 91. Family and friends are invited to her Memorial Service on Sunday, November 3, at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center of the Belmont Clubhouse, Fox Run, 41110 Fox Run Road, Novi, Michigan 48377. A celebration of her life will continue in the Derby and Music Rooms following her service. For further information, contact Ivy Schwartz at 586.781.6742. Eve was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1922. Eve is survived by her son, Bill Bakk of Vancouver, British Columbia; daughter, Ivy Schwartz of Shelby Township, Michigan; stepdaughter-in-law, Terrie Boicourt of Birmingham, Michigan; stepdaughter, Lynn Cantrell of Encinitas, California; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Gerald Boicourt and stepson, Gerald Jr. Prior to her moving to Fox Run in 2004, she resided in Livonia, Birmingham, Southfield and West Bloomfield, Michigan. During her childhood she lived in many European countries; her father, Alexander Swidwinski, was an artist, filmmaker and diplomat. At age 17, Eve was en route to medical school when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. She never saw her parents again. While serving as a volunteer nurse during World War II, she met her first husband. Eve gave birth to her son, Bill in Budapest, Hungary where she worked for the American Consulate. At the conclusion of the war, she worked for UNRA, a United Nations organization which helped refugees relocate and reconnect with family members. Eve immigrated to Canada in 1950 with Bill. She eventually moved to Windsor, Ontario, remarried, and gave birth to her daughter, Ivy. She earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Assumption University in Windsor, and relocated to the United States in 1955. She served as Assistant to the Dean of the College of Education in the 60's and married Gerald Boicourt, a professor of education. Eve opened her first art gallery, Galerie de Boicourt, in 1969. During the 70's she maintained two galleries of fine art and books in Harbor Springs and Birmingham. Eve consolidated and relocated her gallery to the Fisher Building in 1980; in the mid 80's returned to Birmingham. She returned for one season north in the 90's with a gallery at The Homestead, in Glen Arbor, where she later built a home of her dreams. Although retiring from full time gallery duties, she continued to maintain an online sale of fine art and rare books. She expanded her involvement in the city of Detroit with Children's Museum Friends, Wayne State University Retirees, International Institute and the Detroit Institute of Arts. As a result of her dedication to the rebirth of Detroit and her love of multi-cultural arts, she was acknowledged as the International Institute's "Volunteer of the Year" in 1999, and received the prestigious annual "Heart of Gold" award in 2000. She was titled "Honorary Docent" by the Michigan State University Museum for her research contribution in multi-cultural textiles. Eve was an active member of the Oakland Community College Adult Learning Institute, Orchard Lake Campus; the Michigan Oriental Arts Society; and the Birmingham Unitarian Universalist Church, the Friends of Polish Art and an avid supporter of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Her final personal residence was in West Bloomfield, prior to moving to Fox Run 9-½ years ago. She founded the Center for Continuous Learning, which brings in outside speakers for the residents on various timely topics. Eve was extremely active in the Garden Club; she started the Magazine Exchange, also was the curator of the window displays housed in both the Ascot and Belmont Buildings with changing multi-cultural exhibits and book displays. She participated in the annual sales events for the residents with her children's and art books. "I am in awe of all that Eve created here, which have become established "institutions" that add so much to the life of this community and help attract others to it. Eve always loved learning and deeply appreciated beauty." Marilyn Ratner, Fox Run Resident "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep." Robert Frost Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 Memorial donations may be given in her name to the Detroit Institute of Arts or the Benevolent Care Fund for Fox Run Residents.

Eva M. Boicourt

April 7, 1922 - October 10, 2013