Mary Cardy

Always free with wonderful hugs and kisses, Mary Cardy was a warm hearted woman who gave her all in all that she did. Proper in all respects, Mary had grace that was enlightened by her equally beautiful smile. With compassion, she was always willing to help those in need, never expecting anything in return. A wonderful wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Mary will be sadly missed.

The 1920s ushered in an entirely new dimension within the framework of America. Chaplin movies along with Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth baseball was all the rage, and the Roaring 20s offered a sense of gaiety throughout the nation. As industry grew by leaps and bounds, it was a year of rapid expansion for Walter P. Chrysler when he began his auto firm in 1925, building what would become a multi-million dollar enterprise. It was also a time of rapid growth for John and Julie (Pociask) Kruzel who welcomed Mary into their loving arms on December 15, 1925. The fifth of eight children, Mary was born and raised on her family homestead just outside of Petoskey, Michigan. Mary’s father, a hardworking Polish farmer, plowed his fields by horse and built up their farm by the sweat of his brow. He donated the fieldstone from his fields to help build St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where Mary and her family were devout members. Mary’s mother remained at home to look after the children as a homemaker, but Mary was a tried and true daddy’s girl.

Always referred to as “TaTa’s” baby, meaning “Father’s” baby in Polish, little Mary followed him around like a shadow. A bustling household, bath time was especially interesting and consisted of all eight kids being bathed in the same barrel of rain water. Mary cherished memories of fun-filled times playing down by Bear River Creek and treasured many adventures around the farm. She attended St. Francis Xavier School and although many left school after 8thgrade to find work, Mary continued on to high school which was considered a luxury back then. Her parents were especially proud as Mary was the first in her family to even attend high school, let alone graduate. She graduated in 1945 from Petoskey High School and began working at the Perry Hotel for a time.

One evening Mary’s sister was entertaining friends and invited Mary over. Before long a dashing young man entered her sister’s home. When Arthur Cardy walked in, Mary knew without a doubt that he was “the one“, especially after they shared a memorable dance together in the kitchen. Quite taken with one another, they dated for less than a year before sharing vows of marriage on November 22, 1947. Very much in love, Mary and Art were eager to begin their family. Truly blessed, Mary in time became the mother of two darling daughters, Aleta and Lori, and two precious sons, Douglas and Arthur, Jr. “Chip”. Mary was a dedicated and loving mother. Her children always knew when she was about to give them advice when she began a sentence with, “Well you know…”. Art supported his family working various jobs around the Petoskey area. In time they packed up and moved to Lansing where Art landed a job with Oldsmobile. Before long they purchased a home in Victor Township and began farming land of their own.

Art diligently worked at his job and on the farm while Mary looked after their household and managed their properties. They eventually came to own nearly 290 acres where they raised chickens and began their herd of angus cows with a young angus calf Mary’s father had given her. Mary truly loved their farm, except for the darn chicken that plucked the diamond right out of her ring one time! She was a great cook and made the best roast beef and gravy dinners ever. She maintained a nice garden and loved tending to it, always canning the surplus to be enjoyed throughout the year. Art was always the spender in the family while Mary saved and was the conservatively frugal one in the family.

A strong, independent woman, Mary loved her faith and was a devoted, longtime member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and currently attended St. Joseph Catholic Church. She kept busy giving of her time and was part of the St. Rita Guild of the Ladies Altar Society at church. Mary possessed a heart of gold and always gave from her heart. She held much compassion for others and was always willing to help those in need. She also held membership with the D.A.V. Auxiliary #106, and didn’t mind traveling to Mt. Pleasant to play the slots, especially with her friends from the D.A.V. Mary had a wonderful sense of humor and was a joy to be around. Her beautiful smile could light up a room.

It was a difficult time for both Mary and Art when their son Doug died. They clung to one another and their faith to see them through. Even as the years went by, they continued to share a very special love and admiration for one another. When Art passed away in 1992, Mary was completely devastated. She no longer busied herself with outside commitments and remained at home. Right up until his passing, they remained lovingly affectionate towards each other. Tragedy came once again to Mary’s heart when she lost her other son Chip in death a few years later.

At the age of 84, Mary A. Cardy passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2010. Mary is survived by her two daughters, Aleta M. (Mike) Fullmer of Barryton and Lori A. (Dale) Kraus of St. Johns; seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Josephine Buckhardt and Catherine Kruzel; two brothers, Ignatius Kruzel and Anthony (Juanita) Kruzel; many nieces and nephews. Mary was also preceded in death by two sisters, Stasia Winters and Suzanne Czerkia and by her brother, Michael Kruzel.

Her family will receive friends 5-8 PM Monday and 2-4 & 6-8 PM Tuesday at the Osgood Funeral Home with the Rosary prayed at 7:00 PM Monday evening. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. A graveside service will take place at 4:30 PM in Greenwood Cemetery, Petoskey, following the Mass where Mary will be laid to rest next her husband Art, the love of her life. Please visit wwww.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory or photo of Mary or to sign her online guest book.