Obituary of Mary Fox

Mary Hoffman was born in Palmyra, Michigan on September 8, 1913 from the marriage of the late Charles and the late Caroline (Egley) Hoffman. She married Howard C. Fox on August 27, 1941 at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. Mary attended Adrian College, the University of Michigan, and then received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. Following graduation she worked for several years in the Palmyra School District before moving to the Carleton area. For many years Mary taught in a one room school house for Airport Community Schools. Mary taught the third grade her entire career which spanned more than thirty years. She retired in 1975. Mary and Howard were blessed with a son: David and daughter-in-law: Robin Fox of LaSalle, and a daughter: Carole and son-in-law: Robert Laura of Flat Rock. Carole passed away February 15, 2008. From these two children came five beloved grandchildren: Rob and Dwayne Laura, David Fox, and Shawna Fox. Mary took pleasure in nurturing her students. Likewise she took delight in keeping a beautiful garden complete with tulips, lilacs, daffodils, and peonies. She enjoyed bird watching; especially the cardinals and blue birds and collecting trinkets and figurines. Mary was a frequent visitor to the Frenchtown Senior Center where she loved to play bingo and card games with friends, while her beloved Howard shot pool. Howard passed away on May 4, 2001. Mary was a member of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, the American Association of Retired School Personnel, and the Michigan Education Association. Mary Louise Fox, age 95, a resident of Elderly Solutions for the past two years passed away peacefully January 1, 2009. She had been under the care of Heartland Hospice and Homecare. Her passing was also preceded by a granddaughter: Katie Fox, five brothers: Earl Hoffman, Harold Hoffman, Glen Hoffman, Carl Hoffman, Clyde Hoffman, and three sisters: Hazel Brockway, Gladys Dennis, and Ruth Hoffman. Friends may gather from 2:00pm-8pm Tuesday, January 6 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185 where a Celebration of Her Life will take place on Wednesday, January 7, at 11:00am. The Rev. Larry Loree of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Palmyra Cemetery. Memorials are requested to Heartland Hospice or Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. Online words of inspiration and comfort may be made by visiting www.merklefuneralservice.com and then selecting the Life Stories page.