Mary Elizabeth Delehanty

Passed away on March 12, 2022, at Brookdale Senior Living under the care of Centrica Hospice. Mary was born on April 23, 1953, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Allen and Jeanette (Wilkins) Delehanty. She married Jim Vrbanac on July 4,1992. Mary is survived by husband Jim, daughter Caitlin Aguilar and husband Edgar Aguilar, and three grandchildren: Lily Cooper, Violette Aguilar, and Jax Aguilar. Mary is also survived by her sister Monica Delehanty of Portland ME, and brother Patrick Delehanty of Kalamazoo, as well as Patrick's three daughters: Karen of Grand Rapids, MI; Kathleen of Asheville, NC; and Keely of Kalamazoo, MI. Mary was well known in Kalamazoo as a brilliant attorney and champion of many worthy causes. She was a loving and wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She was admired for her superb intellect, her outstanding legal competence, and her quick wit. Mary led an active life filled with many interests. She was an avid reader, a gifted watercolor painter, an enthusiastic guitarist, and a talented gardener, an interest she shared with her beloved Noni. Mary loved photography, capturing the natural beauty of her second home in Manistee through her camera lens. Her joie de vivre and empathy toward others will be missed by all who knew her. Mary graduated from the University of Michigan in 1974 with dual degrees in History and English, accomplishing this in only three years. Mary attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated in 1979. She also attended a study abroad program at Magdalen College at the University of Oxford in England during the summer of 1978. Mary was highly respected in the legal community, notably the first female president of the Kalamazoo Bar Association and president of Women Lawyers of Kalamazoo. As Judge John Foley said, "I knew I had to be prepared when Mary walked into my courtroom. Mary would be." Upon returning to Kalamazoo to practice law, Mary clerked for Judge Donald Anderson. After practicing law in various capacities, Mary joined the Gemrich, Moser Law firm, ultimately becoming a partner. Later, Mary partnered with Susan Fall at Delehanty & Fall. Mary practiced primarily in the areas of family law, representing people going through divorce; and employment law, representing people who were having problems at work or who had lost their jobs. Mary was a committed advocate for her clients and a great source of support as they navigated the lowest points in their lives. She also represented employers and unions. Later in her career, Mary served as a mediator helping people resolve their disputes outside of court. Mary was one of the first female litigators in Kalamazoo and a role model and mentor to many women lawyers who came after her. As a lifelong Democrat, Mary worked to elect Democratic candidates. The election of Barack Obama as President was one of the highlights of her life. Mary and Jim lived life to the fullest traveling extensively, particularly enjoying their trips to New Zealand, Croatia, Ireland, and many other European countries. There are no words to express the loss felt by all who were lucky enough to know Mary. She was that rare person who embraced life to the fullest, taking the time to share a laugh, a drink, and a kind word. There will be a public celebration of Mary's life on her birthday, April 23, 2022. To protect our guests, Covid-19 vaccinations are required to attend. This celebration will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, 100 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI from 2:00–5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Mary's family would like you to consider giving to Centrica Care Navigators, formally Hospice of Southwest Michigan, the American Red Cross Memorial Donations, or UNICEF: Protect the Children of Ukraine.