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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Mary. L McKendrick passed away on October 8, 2024 in her family’s arms and in the company of the compassionate nursing staff of UP Health System-Portage. She was 76. Not ready to consider her work on this earth complete, Mary surpassed the expiration date Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer tried to impose on her.
Born and raised in Detroit, Mary graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Social Work. She spent the majority of her career with the State of Michigan working with Child Protective Services.
Following retirement from the state, Mary moved to the Copper Country and began a second career as a staff trainer with Copper Country Mental Health. She came to know and appreciate her community through volunteerism with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program and Keweenaw Historical Society. Mary served as a docent, sharing her extensive love and knowledge of local history with visitors from around the world. Later, she established a Gift Shop at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse to benefit the work of the Historical Society. She loved the time she spent there and the people she spent it with.
Mary was a dedicated mentor and enjoyed years of friendship with Doug and Joey. She loved reading and taking classes to explore different forms of arts and crafts.
Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, James and Marie McKendrick, and sisters, Barbara Morrison and Gloria McKendrick. She is survived by her sister, Donna (David) Maronen of Mohawk, niece Barbara (Dylan) Goodson also of Mohawk, and nephews Daniel Morrison of McDonough, Georgia, and James (Nichole) Maronen of Saint Augustine, Fl, great nieces, Tori and Tia Morrison and great nephew DJ Morrison of McDonough, GA. She will be missed by family and friends across Michigan and Canada. In lieu of expressions of sympathy, a donation may be made to the Keweenaw Historical Society. Or you could plant a maple tree. Mary loved Maple trees. Be at Peace, Sister
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight on ripen grain. I am the gentle autumn’s rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush, Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
