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Mary Alice Allison went to be with her Lord Tuesday, January 11, 2022, in her home, surrounded by love. People were often surprised to learn she was 70 years young. Her face remained youthful even through the tolls of cancer.
She leaves behind Scott, her faithful, loving husband of nearly 32 years. Scott was her best friend, constant companion, and loyal caregiver.
Mary raised four children she was exceedingly proud of and who will miss her terribly: Josh Allison (wife Leann; grandchildren Brandon, Brady, and Brooke), Rachael Warren (husband Chris; grandbabies Nathaniel and Vivian), Elizabeth Allison (grandchildren Gabbie and Grayson), and Sarah Smarch (partner Andrew).
Mary was a beloved sister to Gail Ryan and Bruce Rexford and aunt to many nieces and nephews she doted on. She now rejoins her younger brother Dale Rexford, parents Marie and William Rexford, and father-in-law Walter Allison, who have surely welcomed her with joy.
Mary gave of herself to everyone around her whenever she saw a need. She genuinely cared for each human being she encountered and taught her family that every person has worth. She loved Jesus deeply and referred to her cancer diagnosis as her “journey to faith.” That faith never wavered, and her hope endured. She was courageous.
Mary was a dear friend. Those who knew her could count on her to answer her phone in the middle of the night when they were troubled or in need of prayer. Countless hours were spent at the kitchen tables of friends playing cards and laughing She made friends wherever she went, even when she was in chemotherapy or the hospital. Mary was a friend to her children’s friends, many of whom thought of her as a second mother. She was a friend to creatures great and small; she greatly loved every pet she owned since childhood and could still name them all.
Mary was an imaginative dreamer who saw beauty in everything, even in the shadows of the light up snow globe dancing on her bedroom wall in her last weeks. She took pride in arranging her home with special trinkets and antiques found on countless trips to garage and estate sales with Scott, her daughters, and friends.
Mary was an artist, a wonderful illustrator who dreamed of learning new digital illustration techniques. She took her children to museums and instilled in them a love for the arts. She collected crafting supplies and made sweet gifts for others whenever she could. She painted many intricate stones for cancer hope gardens after her diagnosis.
Born February 28, 1951, Mary graduated from Kettering high school in 1969. At 13 years old, she saw the Beatles perform live on their first tour of the United States, after which she determined she liked George the best because he was “unsophisticated.” To be party-ready, she sewed new dresses with her cherished girlfriends a few times a month and drove down to Plum Street in Detroit, an artist mecca in the 60s. She loved music and raised her children to the sounds of her youth, later driving them to countless concerts in their own teen years.
Mary was drawn to the beach. One of her favorite past times was collecting sea glass on the shore. She hoped to return to Rogers City with Scott, to walk along the water and find new treasures once again. We are hoping to have a celebratory memorial in Rogers City this summer.
Visitation will be held at COATS FUNERAL HOME-WATERFORD, Michigan from 3-8 PM on Friday, January 21, 2022. Service on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11 AM. If you are unable to attend, do not worry: she knew you loved her and so does the family! If attending, come as you are, wearing what you are comfortable in. In lieu of funeral flowers, please give flowers or a plant to someone in your life in need of a kind gesture or donate to Gilda’s Club or the Troy Beaumont Oncology floor where Mary was treated with great compassion.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Alice (Rexford) Allison, please visit our floral store.
Gilda's Club
3517 Rochester Road, Royal Oak MI 48073
Web: https://www.gildasclubdetroit.org/
Troy Beaumont Oncology
44201 Dequindre Rd Troy, MI 48085, Troy MI 48085
Web: https://www.beaumont.org/giving