×

Mary M. Starnes

ESCANABA — Mary M. Starnes, 80, of Escanaba, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the Lighthouse of Ishpeming.

On Dec. 20, 1939, Mary was born in Hannahville, daughter of Arthur Nels and Ellen Mae (Philemon) Mackey. At a young age, like most in her generation, Mary knew loss, hard work, lack of education and going without. Mary sure had a heart filled with compassion. She never let those hard times set her back or steal her happiness and joy for life.

Mary married Robert “Bob” Starnes on July 20, 1957, in Escanaba. He preceded her in death on Dec. 10, 2015.

Over the years, Mary was employed at Holiday Inn, Ramada and Terrace Bay Inn. She was a hard worker and enjoyed working for them and they loved her. Mary then went into home care work for 30 years, for many different people. They all became her friends more than employers.

It was having and being around her children and grandchildren that she cherished the most. Oh, how she was loved by all of them. Mary loved to take care of her flowers, playing bingo and slots at the casino, going to the movies and for drives to wherever it took her. She also loved helping with big or small chores or errands for others. She always made you smile and there was always a pot of coffee on, with lots of company all day. She made a difference in the lives of so many people. Mary could walk in anywhere and someone knew her and would come over just to say hi. She could make you smile or laugh even on your worst day. Just to hear her laugh, made you smile. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Among survivors include her children, Kathleen “Kathy” (Kevin) Starnes and Ellen Mae (Scott) Malnar of Escanaba, Karen (Rick) Bruce of Missouri and Shawn (Jennifer) Starnes of Gladstone; grandchildren, Paul “PJ” (Morgan) Derouin Jr., Brandon (Cheryl) Starnes, Marc Starnes, Nicole (Jeremy) Roe, Holly (Dee) Bruce, Ory (Casey) Starnes, Hunter Starnes, Riley Starnes and Makenzie; great grandchildren, Krystal, Bradley, Shelby, Nolan, Blake, Tyson, Chevelle and Natalie; sisters, Patrisha Tschohl of Escanaba and Janice Anderson of Wilson; many nieces, nephews and close dear friends, including her BFF, Clara Popour and companion, Clayton Gufteson and his loving family.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bob; Mary was preceded in death by son, Robert “Bobby” Starnes, Jr.; and brother, Melvin “Mel” Mackey.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place in the Hannahville Cemetery. A memorial for friends and family will be held at a later date due to the COVID- 19 virus.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.