Mary Wilson

Mary S. Wilson was a graceful, yet fun-loving woman, with an unforgettable sense of humor that endeared her to all. She was vibrant and caring and remained deeply committed to her family throughout her life.

Carl and Helen (Holzlin) Storre were blessed by the birth of their first child, Mary, on September 25, 1927. In the same year, the world would experience the excitement of the first demonstration of television, the tragedy of the Great Mississippi Flood and the novelty of Al Jolson’s film The Jazz Singer. Oblivious to such historic events, Mary happily grew up with her younger brother Richard in Seattle, Washington. Her father Carl worked as a contractor building houses while Helen, Mary’s mother, spent her time as a homemaker taking care of the family’s needs. It was said of her childhood “times were tough, didn’t really know it because they were tough for everyone else too.” However, when Mary was only seven, her father died, and times got a little tougher for the Storre family. Helen began to work outside the home selling Avon and her father came to live with them for a couple of months until they got back on their feet again. Mary attended the area elementary school and often admiringly told of how her father walked her route to school before her first day and cut down the nettles (type of briar) out of her path. A dedicated student, Mary graduated from Ballard High School in 1944, where she excelled in math and played second chair violin in the school orchestra.

After graduation, Mary attended the University of Washington for 2 years, during which she learned to operate the comptometer (an early day computer) and immediately pursued work in this field. During this time, Mary relished opportunities to go to dances with her friends and went to several USO dances. It was on one of these evenings at a local dance hall that she met John R. Wilson, who was a member of the U.S. Army Jazz Band. John had asked her to dance and although Mary wasn’t impressed with his inept dancing, she was smitten with him and it wasn’t long before they began to date. After a whirlwind courtship of only 8 months, they were happily married on November 15, 1947. The newlyweds headed off to Vancouver, Canada for a honeymoon, which was unfortunately cut short because the car broke down and they ran out of money.

John and Mary established their home in Washington and soon welcomed the birth of their first child, son Richard born in 1948. After John was discharged from the service in 1949, the family moved to Oklahoma where he went to college under the GI Bill studying pre-med and once he was ready for medical school, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended Vanderbilt University. While living in Nashville, John and Mary welcomed the birth of their second child, daughter Janet, born in 1954. After receiving his medical degree, the family made one last move to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where John started his residency in pediatrics and the Wilson family was completed with the birth of their third child, son Clay, in 1957.

While John was busy helping people through his medical practice, Mary selflessly volunteered at the Junior Diet Kitchen at Butterworth Hospital for over 47 years making a difference in many lives. However, Mary was always devoted to her family and especially to her children. Janet fondly remembered how her mother chased her around the kitchen table with a spoon until they were both tired and laughing hysterically. Time together as family was always important and they took many opportunities during the summer to travel, visiting most of the lower 48 states in their car and trailer, happily singing songs along the way.

Mary enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, like doing her chores in the morning so that she could bask by the pool in the afternoon. Her love for dancing continued well into her adult life and many happy memories were made in their garage after John came home from work and he played 40s music on his 8 track in the car while the two of them danced around the garage. Some of her other hobbies included playing bridge, gardening, volunteering for various causes, going to the theater and reading fiction books, which she later listened to on CD. A real sports fan, she truly enjoyed watching all sports, except hockey, and was a big fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions. Mary loved her grandchildren and especially enjoyed going to all their school and sporting events. John retired in 1981 from his medical practice due to poor health and Mary faithfully took care of him until his death in 1992. Before his passing, Mary joined a widow’s group where she found comfort and companionship. She also took time to travel more extensively to places like Australia, Alaska and New Zealand, though her favorite place was England because “she could speak their language.”

Although Mary will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and dedication leaves her loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Mary S. Wilson of Grand Rapids, MI, died on Sunday, January 2, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Wilson. Mary’s family includes her children: Sandy Wilson, Janet Wilson (Rose Sanchez) and Clay (Julie) Wilson (Clay is currently stationed in Iraq); grandchildren: Beth (Brad) Anderson, Katie Wilson (Corey Donnelly), Clay Wilson; brother, Richard (Debby) Storre; sister-in-law, Shirley Wilson; many nieces and nephews.

Friends may spend time with Mary’s family on Tuesday, January 4, from 7-9 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 5, at 7 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Please visit Mary’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either Hospice of Holland Home or Junior Diet Kitchen Guild of Butterworth Hospital.