Mary Elizabeth Hughey

     Mary Elizabeth Hughey, age 77, of Elsie, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at the Hospice House of Shiawassee County, Owosso, MI.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Andizej Boroch presiding. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI.
     Mary was born in Escanaba, Michigan on March 16, 1947, the daughter of John and Delima (Scheer) Olinger. She attended Holy Name High School and Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba. In the Fall of 1967, Mary and a group of "Yoopers" decided to cross the bridge and attend Central Michigan University where she got her degree in Education. In the summer of 1968, Mary met Tom while taking summer classes at Central. They were married in the summer of 1969 and bought a house in Ovid. Mary taught 3rd grade at Leonard Elementary (known then as East Elementary) for 7 years. In the Summer of 1976, Tom and Mary moved to their new house on Ridge Road in Elsie, which was built with the help of family and friends. Mary then taught 5th Grade at E.E. Knight for 3 years.
     Their son, Brennan, was born in July of 1979. Mary chose to stay home for 3 years, before going back to teaching. Upon returning to teaching, Mary taught Science, Math and Social Studies to sixth graders for the next 19 years, first in partnership with Ivah Risley and then Georgann Coon, who taught the Language Arts. Mary retired in 2001, after 29 years of teaching in the Ovid Elsie District. She continued to sub in the Ovid Elsie District an additional 7 years. Upon retiring, Tom and Mary did some traveling, visiting all 50 states plus Canada, Mexico, Ireland and Scotland. Their son, Brennan accompanied them on many adventures.
     Mary was a member of St. Cyril Church in Bannister and was a member of the Altar Society and Christian Service Committee. She was also a member of Ovid Elsie Lioness, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Elsie Arts Council. Mary had worked with Rose Thering in planning Summer Story Hours at the Elsie Library from 2001-2018. Mary also volunteered at the Dorman Gallery and helped with various Elsie Art Council projects.
     She is survived by her husband Tom Hughey of Elsie, MI, son Brennan Hughey of Prescott, AZ, sister Susan Turovaara and brother John and Mary Ann Olinger. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother James.
      Memorials may be made to the Elsie Area Food Pantry or the Elsie Baby Pantry. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.