Mary Alice Stanton, 76, of Sherwood, entered into eternal rest, just hours after her birthday, in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility in Battle Creek.
Please join the Stanton family as they celebrate a life well lived Friday November 17 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse of Athens, 310 S. Capital Ave., Athens, MI 49011. Mary’s remains will be interred privately at North Athens Cemetery at a later date.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation Services.
Mary was born in Battle Creek on November 10, 1947 to Warren and Irene (Cartwright) Miller. She attended Battle Creek Public Schools until her sophomore year when the family moved to Athens. She graduated from Athens High School in 1965.
Mary married Erwin Stanton on January 15, 1965. Together, they had three wonderful sons. Early years were spent with John and Jeff on the farm as well as traveling to motorcycle races. Racing was a huge part of weekend family time where they traveled throughout the state of Michigan racing at local tracks.
Mary and the boys raced while Erwin fixed everything they broke. Mary won the Michigan State Title in the female division proving that she was the first winner in the family! She also enjoyed riding snowmobiles with family and close friends near the property in Irons, MI.
Mary worked on the farm for many years in which she cared for a herd of black angus cattle, drove tractors, and fed the workers. Mary had a very close relationship with her mother and together, they founded Irene’s Fabric Store on M-66 north of Athens, which was the “go to” place for sewing enthusiasts back in the day.
Mary enjoyed being a 4-H leader for many years in which she taught her own kids, future daughters-in-law, and many other children of the community how to sew, cook, can, do leatherwork, and tame steers which sometimes started with pulling them behind the tractor. These proved to be vital skills to many of us who still use them today.
After raising John and Jeff, she got her bonus child Jason, with whom she had a very special bond as it was just the two of them most of the time. He is the epitome of her kindness and will forever be known as her favorite! Mary also played a vital role in the upbringing of her two bonus sons, Terry and Matt.
She also worked at Fort Custer Industrial Park and made many friends but her true calling was helping the well-being of people through her great talent as a massage therapist. She worked out of her home for over 25 years and it was there that her talent was beyond measure as described by so many of her massage clients.
Mary was known for being strong, independent and a free spirit. She thought nothing of taking off “up north” for the weekend to go for a hike at one of our Michigan State trails, going to the lakeshore or watching the boats go in and out of the harbor at Manistee. She never saw a flower that wasn’t picture worthy and was always the one to document candid family moments with her camera.
Mary played an integral part in the lives of all of her family. She provided strength, advice and compassion in every situation when called upon.
She is survived by her sister Toni (Tom) Gothard, three nieces Debbie, Becky and Pam. Her three sons: John (Anna) Stanton, Jeff (Sara) Stanton, and Jason (Taylor) Stanton, all from Sherwood. Her grandchildren: Maria (Jordan) Herman, Cody (Kate) Stanton, Siana (Adam) Bollman, Alivia (Caleb) Moore, Toren (Makenzie) Stanton, Carson (Abby) Stanton, Amelia, Addison, and Eslie Stanton. She has 5 great-grandchildren Catalina, Clara, Madelyn, Parker and Grace. She had two special adventure friends Brenda and Martha who accompanied her on many of her travels.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Warren and Irene Miller and grandson Adam Stanton.
Memorial donations can be made in honor of Mary to the Michigan State Parks and Recreation in order to keep the love she had for the outdoors that our great state of Michigan has to offer ongoing. Please mail donations, payable to “Michigan Department of Natural Resources” to the Lighthouse, PO Box 161, Union City, MI 49094 or there will be envelopes at the memorial gathering.
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