Margaret Mercedes Karas

Margaret Mercedes (Johnson) Karas was born July 19, 1922 and passed away May 20, 2006. She lived on Brookfield Avenue in Livonia for many years. She is preceded in death by her son, Daniel and loving husband, Burton Parker Johnson. She is survived by her devoted husband, Andrew Karas and her sons and daughters: William Burton (Sally) Johnson, Laura (Joseph)(Johnson) Mullaney, Mary Alice (Johnson) Simpson, Larry (Joyce) Zimba, Mary Johnson, Matthew (Pam) Johnson, and Michael Johnson, also 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. There were also at least 27 foster children welcomed into our home from Catholic Social Services. Margaret was the founder of JMJ Catering Services in 1953 in Livonia, Gourmet Bakery on Plymouth Rd in Livonia, Karas House of Westland and the predecessor of the Karas House Banquet Facility of Redford, Burton Manor Banquet Facility of Livonia, and Roma Banquets of Garden City. Throughout her busy life of cooking, operating several businesses and raising a family, Margaret still found time to perform a labor of love; making and sending rosaries to missions all over the world from the South Pacific to Africa, Europe and particularly Ireland. She was a member of the following: Business Women’s Association of Livonia, Third Order of St. Francis located at Dun Scotus in Southfield, the Michigan Restaurant Association and St Michael’s Roman Catholic Altar Society. Margaret brought excess food from JMJ Catering Services to “The Manna Meals” soup kitchen operated by Father Tom Lumpkin in Detroit near Tiger Stadium and worked in the kitchen for Father Lumpkin in her spare time. She also taught developmentally challenged girls cooking skills at Our Lady of Providence in Plymouth, Michigan. Margaret retired in 1972, to Apache Junction, Arizona after selling JMJ Catering Corporation, to her son, William in order to carry on the family tradition. Her final retirement led her to Palmetto, Florida cooking for “Our Daily Bread ”soup kitchen for migrant workers in Bradenton, Florida. Margaret’s greatest achievement was the great love of family she instilled in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a tireless donator of her time and energy to the Felician Sisters of Livonia prior to nuns being allowed to drive, the founding of St Mary’s Hospital, the Capuccian Soup kitchen of Detroit and many more organizations too numerous to mention. She will be missed by many. The motto she taught all of her children was “If you are going to do a job, do it right or don’t do it at all.” Visitation will be on Tuesday May 23rd from 3:00 until 8:00 pm at the RG and GR Harris Funeral Home 15451 Farmington Rd Livonia, MI 48154. Rosary at 7:00 pm. Instate at 10:15 am and Solemn High Mass at 11:00 am at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, 11441 Hubbard Ave, Livonia, MI, on Wednesday, May 24th. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the following non- profit associations: Hospice of Michigan and Right to Life of Michigan. Interment will be at Parkview Memorial Cemetery. Please record your memories in Margaret's guestbook. Funeral Home: R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services 15451 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI US 48154