Mary Dailey

In memory of our dear mother, Mary Louise Dailey, who passed into the arms of her heavenly Father on March 24, 2024, at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital in Wyandotte, Ml. She was a beacon of light of unwavering faith to all that knew and loved her. She leaves an imprint of love in our hearts, and we miss her deeply.

Mary grew up in Wyandotte, Ml with her parents, Joseph Hilaire Brochue, and Henrietta Hazel Frohm, and six siblings. She attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Church where she married her lifelong companion and husband James Maxim Dailey, from Trenton, Ml on June 10, 1950. They grew up together she often said; little did they know that their honeymoon destination would lead them back to the northern area of Michigan years later.

Together they had four children and attended St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Trenton, Ml. Faith and family were her top priorities. She was an active participant in the Legion of Mary there. She trained for and became a dental assistant in a local dental office. She was able to expand her experience to dental office manager. She spent many summers with her family enjoying life at her parent's cottage on Pleasant Lake in Washtenaw County. This instilled a love for water, and nature which resulted in years of camping and exploring many of the National Parks and local campgrounds with her husband and family.

A strong need for a quieter life and nature led them to the next adventure for moving to the west side of the state and purchasing twenty acres and building their dream house in Hastings Ml. There they raised their sons and became members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the community. Mary opened a restaurant called the Squirrel's Nest on Main Street. Mary was also a member of Sweet Adelines. She worked again as an office manager in a local dental office. In Hastings they enjoyed square dancing with new friends and a love of country living which led them to their next adventure, managing a bed and breakfast in Glen Arbor Ml. They left Hastings for the opportunity and headed North.

There they built their forever home in the heart of Empire, Ml. This would become a place where they found peace and solace in their retirement years. Mary pursued her love of art and design, attending Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City and achieving membership in Phi Theta Kappa, a National Honor Fraternity. She shared her artistic expression with her community and in her home. Her husband, Jim, worked part time at Sleeping Bear National Park in maintenance and Mary worked in a small unique local artist shop downtown. They established many good friends and close acquaintances in their church, St Philip Neri. With their love for nature and community, Empire was a great fit for them. They found peace in the beautiful land that surrounds Lake Michigan and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Our drives around Leelanau Peninsula will always bring many fond memories. Our family is so grateful that our parents are laid to rest at St. Philip Neri. It brings us peace and happiness that they will forever be together in Empire.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Dailey; sons, James (Laura) Dailey and Thomas (Krystyna) Dailey and Curt (Shelly) Dailey ; brothers, William (Vicki) Brochue and Gregory Brochue; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Maxim Dailey; sisters, Patricia Reichenback (Rick), Elaine Standler (Leonard) and Carolyn Milot (Louie).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Youth Ministry at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 11411 S. La Core St., Empire, Michigan 49630.

A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 am, Friday, June 21, 2024 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. The family will greet friends starting at 10:00 am. Burial will take place at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow.

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