Piece of artwork at The War Memorial represents one family's legacy

The first word that comes to mind when Sue Majewski thinks of The War Memorial is community.

“It’s always the community that is there,” she said.

In the 1990s, her uncles of the Monahan Company were general contractors. The Monahan brothers – Jack, Bill, Ted and Dan - worked on The War Memorial for years. A plaque is situated on the east end of the fountain in front of the Alger House which reads “Dedicated to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Edward V Monahan,” Majewski’s grandparents.

War Memorial President & CEO Maria Miller, left, pictured with Sue Majewski. In 2021, Majewski created a stained-glass mosaic that is currently on display in Miller’s office.

“The oldest of the brothers was very involved with The War Memorial for many years and he was very proud of it,” she said. “They worked on churches, schools and construction in the Grosse Pointe area and he was proud to help coordinate things.” 

Majewski, of St. Clair Shores, has a photo from 1995 when the fountain in front of The War Memorial was dedicated. 

“The original was white plaster, and my uncles hired a plumber to make the plumbing work,” she said. “They dedicated it to my grandparents. What you see now is the newer fountain.”    

In 2021, Majewski created a stained-glass mosaic that is currently on display in the office of War Memorial President & CEO Maria Miller. The handmade mosaic depicts the fountain and front side of the Alger House at The War Memorial. It measures 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall. 

“The Grosse Pointe News did a contest about what would you make, if you could make anything,” she said. “I became a full-time mosaic artist in 2019. I said go big or go home and I wanted to do The War Memorial. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to do the fountain. I was really happy with the way it turned out.”  

Majewski’s first time at The War Memorial would have been as part of the Grosse Pointe Youth Council in her early teen years while a student at Grosse Pointe South High School. The council oversaw the Battle of the Bands in the Fries Auditorium in the 1970s. 

“It was a cool group of high school kids and we put on the Battle of the Bands dances,” she said. “We would do volunteer work for it. The War Memorial was the only place that South High School students got to know North students, unless it was at a party. We had a blast.” 

At the end of the fiscal year, everybody on the council received points for their work and took a train trip to Toronto. 

“It was a reward for all of our hard work,” she said. “We had our meetings in the room of the lower level of the house that faces the water.” 

Another memory on the Youth Council was running up and down the big stone steps at The War Memorial, “like we owned the place,” Majewski said.  

Most of her life, it was engrained in Majewski that The War Memorial was a place that felt like home. 

“That’s where the community goes,” she said. “I’ve attended everything there- baby showers, plenty of weddings, and I can picture being in every room on the first floor for a shower or party of some sort.”   

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours!