Barbara M. Maise

Barbara M. Maise, age 90, of Northville, passed away on July 13, 2025. She was born on January 3, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan; daughter of Thomas and Jenny Borden. Barb was united in marriage to Raymond Elliot Maise on August 18, 1956; they spent 48 years together until his death in 2004.

Barb was born and raised in Detroit. After graduating from Mercy High School, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit. Barb embarked on her professional path as a teacher before welcoming her first child. From that milestone onward, she embraced motherhood with unwavering dedication, guiding and nurturing her five children every step of the way. From going to piano lesson, sports practices, boy/girl scouts, to homework, Barbara played a pivotal part of all of her children's lives. Initially, her family called West Bloomfield home before a job change caused the family to move to England for two years starting in 1977. Upon return, the family settled down in Northville where Barbara continued to live even after her children had grown for 44 years.

Barb’s devotion extended beyond her own children; she cared for her developmentally disabled younger brother throughout his life and celebrated her other brother’s military service and NASA career with great pride. Later, she embraced grandmotherhood with the same passion, spending summers in Charlevoix strolling downtown for ice cream with her grandchildren. Above all, Barb’s legacy is one of boundless love, creativity, and unwavering support—as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, she enriched every life she touched. A long line of golden retrievers watched, joined in the merriment, and guarded every step of the way.

As the daughter of two-first generation Ukrainians, Barb wore her heritage with pride. The family recipes passed down through the generations are part of her legacy. With the help of her granddaughter, they were organized into a printed family recipe book. Sviatvechir was of particular importance. It is an elaborate Christmas Eve dinner that takes many days to prepare and ingredients sourced from many stores.

Barb had an adventurous spirit, touring the globe with her husband and a travel club after he passed. Frequently, their great friends Earl and Johanna Thomas came along. When the Maise and Thomas families traveled together, the full compliment numbered 16! Painting with her friends Johanna and Mariela Devoto occupied much of her later life. All of her children have her works hanging on their walls.

Barb is survived by her loving children, Paul (Sheryl Westerdale and former spouse Kimberly) Maise, Peter (Valerie Naiser and former spouse Carol) Maise, Philip Maise, Matthew (Dawn) Maise and Jennifer (Andy) Cormier; her grandchildren, Joan Maise, Jason Maise, Eric (Kaitlyn) Maise, Kelly (Erich) Maise Heise , Matt (Elizabeth) Maise, Jacob (Keri) Maise, Nathan (Sydney) Maise, Raymond Cormier, Abigail Cormier, and Thomas Cormier; and her great grandchildren, Allison, Henry, Matt, Francine, Jack, Beatrice, and Elliot. She is also survived by her nieces Terri (Austin) White, Jeanette Lawrenson, and Angela Steen all of Florida, and cousins William Osad and Mari Ross. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers Thomas T. Borden and Kenneth Borden.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, July 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., instate at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville. Father Denis Theroux will officiate the mass. Barb will be laid to rest with her husband at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Southfield, a graveside service will be held on Friday at 2:30 p.m..

Memorial contributions are suggested to https://hopenetwork.org/foundation/give the non-profit firm that took over for the facility that once housed Barbara's brother.