Mary J. McCloskey

Mary was born in Canada, a year after her sister Blanche. Mary and her family moved around in the northern reaches of Canada during her early years and finally settled in Windsor, Ontario when Mary was a teenager. While attending high school in Windsor, Mary and Blanche worked in the beauty parlor operated by their mother Marge. In high school, Mary met Bill McCloskey and, as they say, it was love at first sight. Mary and Bill were married in Windsor and had a son, Michael. Soon after, Mary moved her family across the border to Michigan where Mary had her second son, Bryan. The McCloskey family settled in a new housing development in Warren, Michigan in 1960. Mary was content raising her boys and making a home while Bill worked for Schaefer Bread for many years delivering fresh bread to grocery stores in Detroit and the surrounding area. As the boys grew up and became more independent, Mary joined the workforce. Wanting to stay close to home and family, Mary took a job as a cook in the Warren Consolidated School System. Mary blossomed in her job and loved cooking for all the kids. She moved from Junior High Schools to High Schools where she took the Head Cook position, working with a staff of dedicated ladies who all shared a passion for cooking and baking. Working in the school system allowed Mary summers off to spend with her boys. Camping in upper Michigan became a wonderful summertime activity in a Coleman pop-up camper. And Mary was honing her skills as a great fisher-person. She could out-fish just about anyone on the Au Sable River. And, as an extra bonus, Mary would serve up some of the best fish fries that the campground ever saw!As time went by and her boys started their own families, Mary and Bill settled in to retirement. Annual trips to Las Vegas, cruise ships, bowling leagues and tending to her precious garden passed the days away. Mary maintained a role in the school system as a volunteer several days a week- helping students strengthen their reading skills. In 1998, Mary's husband and life companion died of lung cancer. By this time, Mary was a grandmother to four boys - Shawn, Jack, Scott and Evan - representing two from each of her sons. Mary maintained her strength, both in body and mind, as she lived independent in her Warren home. Rallied by great friends in the neighborhood and new friends from bowling leagues, Mary continued to live life to its fullest.In 2015, Mary had a few hospital stays but bounced back returning home after each incident. Mary shared with those close to her that, "It's getting tougher after each hospital stay. The mind is willing, but the body is tired." Mary closed her eyes a final time on August 24, 2015. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loved ones in Sparrow Clinton Hospital in St. Johns, Michigan. Mary is survived by her sons, Michael and wife Laura; Bryan and wife Karen. Also four grandchildren: Shawn, Jack, Scott and Evan; and her sister Blanche. And finally, all the close friends she made throughout the years who made her time on earth richer by being a part of her life.A Memorial Visitation for Mary will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 from 1:00 pm until the time of her Memorial Service at 2:30 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Road) in Warren. In lieu of flowers donations appreciated to the American Cancer Society.Please share memories of Mary at her guest book above.