Mary Kathreen Love

Mary was born July 9, 1945 in Detroit, the daughter of Francis and Kathreen (Lasich) Bonifas. She was united in marriage to James Love on September 9, 1972 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Manistique. Mary was a Licensed Practical Nurse who worked at the Manistique Medical Center and also in Battle Creek, Michigan for several years. She also worked for Kmart and Goodwill, was a Board Member for the Gladstone Senior Citizens Center and a member of the Sisters of Steam, a ladies group with the U.P. Steam and Gas Association.

Mary was a kind and creative soul. Throughout the years she dabbled in countless different art forms including crochet, sewing, painting, oil pastels, card making, stamping, and scrapbooking. She enjoyed frequenting arts and crafts fairs, both as a vendor and as a patron. In her later years, she both attended and taught art classes at the senior center. She had a deep love for the beauty found in nature, and was never more delighted than when hummingbirds would visit her birdfeeders, or when the does would return to her backyard with their fawns each spring. Her legacy and love of art will live on through her students, her daughters, and her granddaughter, who is frequently known to muse, “You know, I was thinking… maybe we should do a project?”

Mary is survived by her husband, James; daughters, Dawn (Dru Kelly) Love of Green Bay and Jacqueline Love of Marquette; grandchildren, Andrew Kelly Jr. and Tiana Kelly; brother, John Bonifas of Manistique; half-brother, Don Hart; sister -in-law, Jean King (Ken Rautiola) of Manistique, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Francis Bonifas, and mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Jim Love.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of UP Home Health and Hospice, whose diligence and expertise assured as dignified a transition for Mary as possible. Additionally, the family will be forever indebted to the staff of Lakeview Assisted Living, who went above and beyond to make sure Mary was not only cared for and comfortable, but cherished.

In keeping with Mary’s wishes, cremation will take place and no services will be held. The family is being assisted by the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. To leave a message of condolence, go to http://www.skradskifuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to consider donating to the Gladstone Senior Center. If you are so compelled to honor Mary’s memory, go spread a little kindness or make some art!