of Jackson, MI, formerly of Gladwin, age 86, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 4, 2024, peacefully with her family at her side at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson. She was born September 5, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph & Marguerite (Zummo) Agrusa.
Mary graduated in 1954 from Nativity of Our Lord High School in Detroit. She did bookkeeping for Lee Wholesale Supply in New Hudson, MI. Mary attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gladwin, MI. She was active with the Lion's Club, White Cane Society, and pro-life activities. Mary taught Catechism for many years. She enjoyed golfing, cross stitch, and making stained glass. Mary was a very giving person.
Her family remembers her sense of tradition, family gatherings at their log home in Gladwin, golf tournaments on their par 3 golf course in their backyard, sitting together on their back porch in the morning and watching the deer and wild turkeys, our walks down their picturesque lane through their woods during each of the seasons, picking apples from their apple trees and making apple blue-berry cobbler, and apple pies. But we especially treasure our memories of Christmas family gatherings; making Christmas tree ornaments with all the grandkids, sleeping on any couch, chair or space we could find, cutting down our Christmas trees on their property, one to take home and one to decorate for grandma & grandpa to put all of our home-made ornaments on. Not to mention our special "Christmas Dinner" and enjoying her delicious wreath and macadamia nut-chocolate chip cookies. And then when our family got too big and not enough room, our fun Christmas celebration weekends at the Riverwalk Place in town.
In 1975, she married Gale Whitford, and he preceded her in death on September 9, 2023. She is survived by her children, William (Bobbie) Riley, Barbara (Rob) Kivett, Paula (Gary) Marken, Jeannie (John) Drew; a son-in-law, Henry Hogben; step-children, Sandra (Michael) Gale Bostwick, Deborah (Ken) Kanyo, Wendy Christian; a sister, Ann (Russ) Augusta; a brother, Pietro “Peter” Agrusa; 11 grandchildren; many step-grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a daughter, Lee Ann Hogben; a brother, Salvatore “Sam” Agrusa; a sister, Josephine “Jo” Agrusa Kallioinen; and a step-daughter, Nancy Mullins.
No services are planned.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Mission for Gladwin County, 220 James Robertson Dr., Gladwin, MI 48624.
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