Marguerite Rose Benas Kochalka Jenkins

Marguerite Rose Benas Kochalka Jenkins, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Park Village Pines, at the age of 94. She was born in Madison Connecticut on May 1, 1931. She moved to Saginaw when she was 3 years old and lived there for 29 years. She moved to Traverse City in 1963 and to Kalamazoo in 2023. She and her husband, William Jenkins, owned and operated Jenkins Optical and Bay West Optical of Traverse City for 30 years. During their life together they enjoyed boating on Grand Traverse Bay most recently on “The Marguerite” which they moored in Northport, Michigan. After her husband’s passing in 1985, Marguerite continued to operate Bay West Optical for an additional ten years with the help of optician and friend, Randy Dahlstrom.

Marguerite enjoyed many years of travel throughout the world. She was a lover of the arts especially classical music and film. She was an avid reader and maintained an extensive library of mostly autobiographies.

When her taste buds got the best of her, she enjoyed spaghetti, ice cream and anything chocolate. She loved horses and dogs.

Marguerite is predeceased by her first Husband: Donald Kochalka, second Husband: William Jenkins, Mother: Anne Jacoby, Fathers: James Benas and Clyde Jacoby, Sister: Claudette Anne (Jacoby) Roberts, Half - Brother: Edward Benas; Half - Brother: Nicholas Benas; Dogs: Clancy (a Doberman) and Heidi (a ShihTzu).

She is survived by her children: Diane J. (Jenkins) Wolpert and Max Wolpert of The Villages, Florida, Bruce W. Jenkins and Jennifer Jenkins of Portage, Michigan, Michael H. Jenkins of Traverse City, Michigan, Grandchildren: Paul Wolpert, Mark (Kathleen) Wolpert, John (Amy) Wolpert, Jessica Jenkins, Angela (James) Garrison, Ben (Julie) Tappenden and fifteen great-grandchildren, Niece: Paula Roberts (Jeff Abbe) of Sanford, Michigan as well as many dear friends from her life in Traverse City including neighbors near her home of 50 years on East Shore Drive and Cedar Creek Senior Apartments. Her last years were spent under the loving care of family and staff at Park Village Pines in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Marguerite’s guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with her family. Donations may be made in Marguerite’s memory to Centrica Care Navigators Hospice (www.centricacare.org), Park Village Pines (www.parkvillagepines.org/contact), and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)

The Jenkins family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002 (269) 344-5600.