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Mary Fennelly

December 11, 1951 - July 18, 2014
Taylor, MI

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Visitation

Monday, July 21, 2014
3:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, North of Joy Road
9300 Middlebelt
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 427-3400
Driving Directions

Service

Tuesday, July 22, 2014
11:00 AM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, North of Joy Road
9300 Middlebelt
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 427-3400
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


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Although she was taken from her loved ones too soon, the impact that Mary Fennelly made on the hearts and in the lives of those around her was everlasting. She was warm, inviting, and gracious, which were traits that drew others near with ease. A dedicated and loving wife, Mary was blessed to share much of her life’s journey with her true love with whom she experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. She was rarely seen without a smile, and it was her smile that could brighten up even the darkest of days. The way before her was not always easy for Mary, but her graceful courage and quiet strength were such an inspiration. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten by all who were blessed to know and love her.

The 1950s were an exciting time in our nation’s history when there were so many new things to see and experience. Elvis Presley took the music world by storm with his rock ‘n roll music while televisions were becoming part of our homes in record numbers. Rosa Parks took civil rights to a new level when she refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, and we welcomed Alaska and Hawaii as our 49th and 50th states. As part of this time of great change, the year 1951 was a year to celebrate when a young couple from Boswell, Pennsylvania, was filled with great joy to welcome a baby girl into their hearts and home on December 11th in Johnstown. Mary was one of three children in her family as she was joined in her family by her siblings, Rudy Jr. and Joanne.

In many ways Mary’s upbringing was a reflection of her generation. Her father, Rudy, worked as a coal miner during her youngest years, but when Mary was around five years old their family moved from their small coal mining town of Boswell to Trenton, Michigan. There, Mary’s father worked as a steel worker for McLouth Steel. Her mother, Ann, was a devoted homemaker. Together Mary’s parents were a wonderful example of what marriage is as they were married for nearly 75 years. Their Polish heritage was celebrated on Easter with the blessing of the food basket and again on Christmas when they broke the oplatek wafer. Mary attended St. Timothy School in Trenton for first through eighth grades, and she went on to graduate from Trenton High School. After graduating from high school, Mary went on to Carnegie Institute where she studied medical assisting for one year.

New and exciting changes were in store for Mary when she met the man who stole her heart. His name was Bill Fennelly, and they were introduced by Bill’s sister, Lynn. They were both in their forties when they met, and it wasn’t long after their introduction that the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Mary and Bill were united in marriage in an elaborate and beautiful marriage ceremony in the mid-nineties. Although they never had children, they had a big extended family and enjoyed keeping up with all of their nieces and nephews.

Throughout her life Mary was a woman of many interests and enriching experiences that were made better when they were shared with the ones she loved. Las Vegas was a favorite destination including for their honeymoon and in celebration of her in-laws’ 60th wedding anniversary. When there Mary’s favorite hotel was always the Excalibur Hotel. She treasured visits with her parents and sister in Orlando, and she also paid a visit to Disneyworld whenever she could.She shared a special relationship with her 90 year old mother-in-law, Harriet. Mary was a Detroit Tigers fan, and she had an extensive collection of castles that was fun to share with others. Her favorite movie was Camelot, and that was her favorite song, too. When it came to what she enjoyed watching on television it was often medical shows with ER and Grey’s Anatomy being among what she enjoyed most.

All who knew Mary Fennelly would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She was always smiling and loved joking with others, too, and with a contagious zest for life she brought such happiness to all who were near. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Mary created a priceless collection of memories shared with her family and friends. She will be forever remembered by many.

Mary Fennelly died on July 18, 2014. Mary’s family includes her husband, William; siblings, Rudy Jr (Jeanie), and Joanne (Larry) Taurence; mother-in-law, Harriet Fennelly; brothers and sisters-in law, Sue McGillivary, Lynn (Howard) Trejchel, Edward (Kathy), Dennis (Joanne), and David (Holly); many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends Monday 3-9 p.m. at L.A. Turowski and Son Funeral Home, 9300 Middlebelt Road (north of Joy Road) in Livonia where a Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you may share a memory, upload a photo, and sign the guestbook.

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