Mary Elizabeth Dally, 77, of Coldwater passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Insight Hospital and Medical Center Coldwater.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Coldwater with The Rev. Barrett Lee officiating.
Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will take place at a later date in the St. Marks Memorial Garden.
Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home.
Mary was born May 23, 1948 in Battle Creek, MI to Clyde & Mary Jane (Berry) Bodie. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Western MI University and taught business classes at Union City High School for the first year of her career.
Mary, a dedicated mother, stayed home and worked odd hours while raising her children for 13 years. She had worked at the Community Health Center, Prosecutor John Livesay’s office and for Dally Tire while taking classes to earn her Master’s in Reading from Western Michigan University.
Mrs. Dally went back to teaching in the mid 1980’s at Lakeland Elementary, where she taught many grade levels, primarily 5th grade. She had a passion for teaching and children. She made holidays special for all of her kids, especially Valentines Day. Mary was named Educator of the Year in 2019 and retired in 2023.
Mary was a faithful servant of the Lord and a very active member of St. Marks Episcopal Church where she served as a lector, on the church vestry and in the choir. She loved flowers, crocheting and knitting, having made hundreds of baby blankets and prayer shawls. Mary was active in 4H, teaching classes; she coached Little League and worked in the Parks and Recreation summer programs.
She loved golf, playing in leagues and spent many years in Bridge clubs. She enjoyed traveling and annual family trips to Mackinaw Island, even taking her students.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a faithful friend and problem solver. She was feisty, fierce, opinionated, loyal and very giving. She encouraged her children when they thought they couldn’t; she always cared for her family; she blamed her children for teaching her how to swear and was nicknamed the “Caboose” because she was the end of the line. Mary appreciated sunsets, always finding their beauty on the best and worst of days.
Mary is survived by her husband Craig; her children Tyler (Tammie) Dally of Coldwater, Dori (Ed) Rosick of Dewitt, Ryan Dally of Coldwater; her sisters Donna (Remus) Rigg of Coldwater, Cheryl Kidle of Coldwater; her grandchildren Caden Helm, Haley Helm, Annabelle Helm, Alyise Dally, Grayton Dally; her step grandchildren Nichole Harris, James Harris, Alyssa Rosick, Edward Rosick; great grandson Ryland McFadden and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sister Patricia Sistanish.
Memorials may be directed to St. Marks Episcopal Church.
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