1935 ~ 2024
Sunday, February 4th, 2024, marked the passing of a truly remarkable woman, Louise Hagerty, at the age of 88. A pioneering entrepreneur and a lifelong resident of Northern Michigan, Louise left an indelible mark on the world. In the words of Maya Angelou, Louise was indeed a “Phenomenal Woman” – her strength, grace, and inner beauty shone through in everything she did.
Born on March 23, 1935, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Charles and Helen (Bloom) Kucera, Louise grew up in and was inspired by the beauty of Leelanau County. From humble beginnings, she emerged as a precocious and competitive student, later graduating as class valedictorian from Maple City High School in 1953. Her life was a testament to the words of Robert Frost, as she journeyed on “The Road Not Taken,” carving her own resilient path in an era when such things were rare.
