Monica Mary Dobija

Monica Dobija 5/6/1943 – 1/30/2016 Monica Mary Dobija, also known as "Mo, Monie, Monica Merry, Sis, MOM!, Saint Monica, Aunt Monica, and Buscia" died January 30, 2016 at the young age of 72, surround by her family. Quite appropriately to those who knew her, Monica died of a big heart. Monica was a Downriver gal. She was born at Delray Hospital to Joseph and Charlotte "Lottie" (Sucharski) Babik. She spent her youth, in River Rouge, where she grew up as the middle child to her two brothers, Jerome and Thomas Babik (Tom and Jerry) and as the "big sis" to her youngest sibling, Christine (Chris) Babik. Mo loved sports and used the lessons she learned from athletics throughout her life. She played basketball and tennis, in which she became an "all-star." Stories to her children about her years at Our Lady of Lourdes High School, class of '61, a source of joy and pride. After graduating from "Lourdes" or affectionately known around the household as LOL, where she did laugh out loud, Monica went to college at Eastern Michigan University. At "Eastern," she studied physical education because you always have a lot of fun playing sports! She earned a B.A. and a Masters in Education. She met "Doby," her husband on the tennis courts where she had to decide did she ''let him win the match or did she let him 'win her heart'. Lucky for all of us, she allowed him to win her heart and thus, they married on May 31, 1968 and shared 47+ years of marriage. Monica was very busy in the 70's… having and chasing after five children! Nicole, Kathryn, Michelle, Bryan, and Michael. In addition to raising children, being an amazing mother and role model, Monica went back to teaching high school in the Ecorse School district. Her love of sports was unabated and she continued to coach many teams both for her children at home and the children at school. She went on to become the Athletic Director, which was a perfect match for her. She was always busy and on the go. No matter where she was going and what she was doing, life was an adventure and she wanted to experience it! She has traveled the world and had wonderful stories about all the places and all the people. She never got "lost" while on an expedition, it was just a variation in the plan. When she wasn't traveling or shopping (this includes garage sales, flea markets, and auction houses) she loved being Buscia to her eight grandchildren, Charlotte, Gabriella, Jude Francis, Patrick, Josephine, Kellan, Thomas, and Joseph. Monica, you are loved and missed. You taught us how to laugh, that it is OK to cry, that everything in life is fun if you have the right attitude, never tell a lie, always go out of your way to help someone (especially kids), lead by example, bargain shop, swim, put your best foot forward, there is no such things as having too much fun, listen to what others have to say, travel as often as you can and visit places you never dreamed of going, be kind to others, always be confident even if you don't know where you are going, love God, love your spouse and cherish your children, spoil your grandchildren, life is always too short so spend every minute of it happy. In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Karmanos Amyloid Foundation, https://www.justgive.org/RememberMonica Click on the multimedia tab to view Monica's video tribute.