Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Foshag

Mary Elizabeth Dusseau was born on September 9, 1929 in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of four children born to Herman and Leona (Dandron) Dusseau. Mary graduated from St. Mary Academy in Monroe with the Class of 1947. She later continued her education at Monroe County Community College where she attended accounting classes. A devout Catholic, Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Monroe.

On May 14, 1949 she wed the love of her life, Kenneth C. Foshag, at St. Mary Catholic Church. The couple honeymooned in Kentucky where they visited Mammoth Cave. They made their home in Monroe, eventually settling on West Noble Street where Mary lived from 1960 to 2018. Blessed with ten children, she was a devoted homemaker tending to their every need. In the late 1960’s Mary began working as a cashier at Kroger grocery store and continued for ten years. She later began a career in real estate where she was employed at several offices after obtaining her license. Mary eventually became a broker and was proud to have owned her own agency, Foshag Real Estate.

While small in stature, standing only 4’10 ½” tall, Mary made up for her lack of height with her high energy. She always met the challenge of working and taking care of a large family. Her grandchildren would use her as a measuring stick for their own growth, proudly proclaiming that they were almost as tall as Grandma!

The Foshag family took countless camping trips to Northern Michigan. Kenny and Mary continued to travel when their children were grown, enjoying many years at their cabin near Mio, Michigan. They pulled their trailer across the United States and even once made their way across the ocean to Hawaii. After Ken’s passing, Mary turned her attention to her real estate business and spending time with her close friends. She joined bus trips to National Parks and the casino to try her luck on the slots. Mary was always excited to share the news of big wins with her family. Sadly, Alzheimer’s Disease would rob her of all these memories, however she never lost her smile.

Mary Elizabeth Foshag, age 94, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at the IHm Healthcare Center on Tuesday; January 9, 2024. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband of forty-three years: Kenneth Foshag on July 3, 1990; her son: Ron Foshag; her infant daughter: Mary Ann Foshag; her brother: Herman “Buddy” Dusseau; and her sister: LeeAnn Salow.

To cherish her memory she leaves eight children: Tim (Alice) Foshag of Midland, Michigan, Tom (Vicki) Foshag of Monroe, Chris (Bill) Frysinger of Lansing, Michigan, Kenneth Charles (Carol) Foshag of Newport, Michigan, Rod (Sue) Foshag of Newport, John (Vickie) Foshag of Monroe, Joe (Dawn) Foshag of Monroe, and Debbie (Leo) Johnson of Monroe; her daughter in-law: Laurie Foshag; twenty-seven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren plus one more on the way, and her brother: George (Bobbie) Dusseau.

Friends may gather on Sunday; January 14, 2024, from 2:00pm until 7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185 with recitation of the rosary at 6:00pm. She will lie in state from 10:00am until 11:00am on Monday; January 15, 2024, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; 127 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 followed by the Mass of Resurrection at 11:00am. Private entombment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Monroe.

Many thanks to the IHM caregivers for their years of providing wonderful love to Mary. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.