Twala Wolfe (photo courtesy of the Antrim Review)
[Ed. Update 1-5-09: I am sorry to tell you that Twala Wolfe died on Sunday night. I’ve decided to leave the headline the way it is, for how better to remember a friend and neighbor than by holding a good thought for her? Update 1-6-09: I’ve just received news that funeral services will be held Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes with Pastor Harold Kruse officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until services. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Family Services, 9746 Main St., Ellsworth, MI 49729.]
I received the sad news from Sally Hannert: Twala Wolfe was admitted to Munson last Friday morning. She has a brain infection and is not expected to live. She had a heart transplant [13 years ago] and the immunosuppressants eventually totally suppressed her immune system. She is now in a coma.
When I first started coming here the sign on the store in Torch Lake Village said Torch Crest Party Store, but everyone called it “Twala’s place.” It was an oasis of good soup and good stories. Like many enterprises around here, it tended to disappear in the winter, but it always popped up in the spring. Eventually running a retail store was more than Twala wanted to tackle, and she sold the place to Chris and Sonny Szejbach who transformed it into Sonny’s, my home away from home. Once she could put all her energy into something else, Twala became one of the people who revitalized and nurtured the Antrim County Democratic Party, especially the Women Dems. She thoroughly enjoyed the 2008 election, and it saddens me that she will not be able to watch the coming Inauguration.
She ran for local office as a Democrat in this overwhelmingly Republican area, cheerfully acknowledging that she wouldn’t win, but believing that continuing to run would chip away at the GOP Monolith. She supported the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Friends of Interlochen, and expanded recycling efforts in Antrim County. In 2005 she joyously celebrated the tenth anniversary of her heart transplant—you can read all about that in Kris School’s article for the Antrim Review, A second chance at life.
Hold a good thought for Twala, a friend and neighbor who made the very most of her second life.
Torch Lake Views 
Janet Horton
January 5, 2009
My family has known Twala for many, many years. And my husband, Paul Wright, had a special place in his heart for Twala. They had both been on a heart transplant list and shared many long talks about it when we were at the cottage. The last time I saw her was at his service this summer. My thoughts are with her.
Gerry
January 5, 2009
Janet, thank you for your good comment. I am sorry for your loss.
Beth Toner
January 6, 2009
I never knew Twala, but what a strong and wonderful woman she obviously was! I am so sad she will miss the inauguration of President Obama, and will be thinking of her on that day!
Nancy Thornburgh
January 6, 2009
Twala was a dear friend of my father-in-law Carl Thornburgh. My husband John and I first met her shortly after her transplant. I was amazed at her stamina as she continued her activities that summer and was soon back at the store baking the best oatmeal raisin cookies I have ever had. When my father-in-law was in his final hours I called Twala and asked if she would like to come say goodbye. When she came in Carl just grinned and they had a last laugh together. We send along our heartfelt sympathy to her daughter and grandchildren that she talked of often and lovingly. She will be missed.
John & Mary Ann Berst
January 10, 2009
Like Nancy Thornburgh, Mary Ann and I loved Twala’s oatmeal raisin cookies and her fresh bread too. When we first bought our cottage in Eastport in 1980 we discovered Twala and her wonderful cooking and her delightful personality. Twala shared anecdotal area history along with the latest area happenings. Every Friday after work we joined the throngs heading north from Detroit and looked forward to our visit with Twala and our bag of bread and cookies. If we were a little late, Twala would stay open for us. We have remained good friends.
We are unable to attend the memorial services but send our love and sympathy to Sonia and the family. The whole community will miss Twala.
John & Mary Ann Berst
Gerry
January 10, 2009
John, Mary Ann, Nancy, Beth, Janet, thank you for your messages to Twala’s family. I’ll head over there in a few hours for the service, and will deliver a copy of all your lovely reminiscences. I hope it will be a comfort to Sonia and her children that Twala’s life is knitted into Torch Lake Township forever. She did well, didn’t she!
Susan Zanner
February 2, 2009
This site is new to me but may serve as a place of rest and reprieve for me. My memories of Twala all involve warm donuts – my mother Anne Courtright was not an early riser – and my father John had a sweet tooth a mile long, if that’s possible. Since none of us Courtrights appreciated a sunrise, he would head across to Twala’s to get “the morning donuts” which lasted all day, and I am sure, to share conversation with the only other person up as early as he was in the morning. My beloved mother, the “Mayor of Torch Lake” more to come later always kidded us that Dad had gone to “see his girlfriend” when we couldn’t find him around the cottage. He had the utmost respect for her wisdom, courage and work ethic. I am humbled to learn in this place of her passing and send my deepest condolences. I also appreciate the hard work Sonny does to keep a community store of quality and comfort together.
Gerry
February 2, 2009
Susan, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’ll look forward to learning more about the Courtrights.
Kristen Heffner
July 30, 2010
I have the best memories of visiting the Twalas Corner store as a child. She will be missed.