Mary (Schneider) McLellen

To her family and friends, Mary M. McLellen was the essence of love. There was a radiance about her that drew others to her and a kindness that “never wrote anyone off.”

She lived her life with grace and dignity, showing those around her the true meaning of courage. She held on to her deep faith and was upheld by her faithful Savior.

Mary was born January 6, 1958 in St. Johns, Michigan, the fifth child of Raymond and Jacqueline (Laboda) Schneider. She grew up in a little three bedroom home on Baldwin Street under the care and nurture of her father, a painting contractor, and mother, who was the organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church. From an early age, Mary’s character and faith were shaped by her close family ties and membership in the Catholic Church. As a result, she was a model of good behavior and diligence at home and in school.

An added focus during Mary’s high school years was her interest in sports. Actually, her attention was first drawn to boys, and she admitted to joining sports to meet them. Still, she excelled in her own rite: playing tennis, running track and joining the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The great friendships she made with Sallie, Julie, Deb, Cheryl, Lori and Michelle, among others, were strong and enduring.

After graduating from high school, Mary went to Lansing Community College before transferring to Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her minor in Spanish proved most beneficial as she tutored in English to local migrant workers. That experience only added to her long term goal of becoming a teacher.

While still at LCC, Mary had met a young man named Mike McLellen. He knew, from the first time he laid eyes on Mary, that he wanted a future with her. To his fellow swimmers—hanging out in the cafeteria that day he looked up and saw her—Mike said, “I am gonna marry that girl.” From that moment on, his friends kidded him about Mary being his girlfriend, and soon after, one of his buddies introduced the two of them and then dashed away. That was all it took. From their first date to Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, Mary and Mike grew in love and commitment over their year and a half relationship. They were blessed in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns on October 6, 1979.

Soon after the wedding, the newlyweds moved to Dover, Delaware, where Mike was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. As difficult as it was for Mary to leave her family, the two of them were excited to begin their life together (though they did spring for a surprise plane ride back for Thanksgiving). While in Dover, their first child was born, but in time, a teaching job for Mary brought the young family back to Michigan. After Mike completed his military duty, they moved to St. Johns and Mary began teaching at St. Joseph Catholic School. It was in 1990 that they moved to Kentwood, Michigan, where Mary joined St. Mary Magdalen Church.

Being a mother and a professional, Mary had stayed home to raise Christin, Jennifer and Ian, until her youngest started school. She had the capacity to be totally devoted to her children, welcoming of her children’s friends, and attentive to her students. For a time, Mary substitute taught in a number of schools in the area and then began full time at Thornapple-Kellogg Public Schools in Middleville, Michigan. Her first job was to teach Spanish, but was coerced into teaching art. For someone who had no training in art, Mary continually amazed people at just how many projects could be made out of paper plates.

Mary was the kind of teacher who threw herself into her calling. Once when teaching an Egyptology unit, Mary offered her students some hands-on experience by mummifying a chicken. Her passion for teaching was evident in the love she had for the staff as well as her students. There was never a day that Mary didn’t want to go to work.

Mary taught faithfully and imaginatively until her health no longer allowed her to continue. In 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but the disease never stopped her from living beautifully. She kept up her bargain shopping and continued to draw the family together as often as she could. She maintained her interest in the lives of her nieces and nephews and formed a special bond with her son’s friend David, now serving in Iraq. Mary became part of the “Diane Z” group of cancer survivors and was enriched by the friendships of Anita, Sister Sue, and Kathy Cober. All her friends came to know Mary’s quirks—like putting ice in her wine and insisting on coffee hot enough to burn her mouth—and they loved her for her uniqueness, spontaneity and joy.

That spirit sustained Mary and her family through difficult times. She was under no illusion about her health, but she made her way by faith. She once told Mike that if anything bad were to happen to anyone in the family, it would be better if it were her because she could handle it the best.

Mary’s life was a testament of grace and trust. Day by day, she asked God to carry her burden “just one more day.” That sentiment was evident in the effort Mike and she made to hear singer Rodney Atkins. They traveled to Muskegon to hear him perform, and Mary fell in love with his music. One song was especially poignant, “If You're Going Through Hell.” In the year following, the two of them traveled to hear Rodney’s band eight more times, and when she finally met the group, their hearts were joined to Mary’s. As with nearly everyone that Mary met, she held a special place in their lives, too.

Mary passed away gracefully on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the age of 52. In her brief years, she lived large: “You could not print LOVE big enough for her.” In truth, Mary embodied love and was sustained by the love of her family, friends, and her Lord. She was blessed by a wonderful marriage of 30 years, the joy of seeing the marriage of her daughter Christin and the birth of her precious grand daughter Amelia Rose. She knew these gifts and many more were straight from the heart of God.

Mary M. (Schneider) McLellen, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, is survived by her husband, Mike; daughters, Christin (Bob) Armstrong and Jennifer (Gerard Montigny) McLellen; son, Ian McLellen and grand daughter, Amelia Rose Montigny. Mary is also survived by her sisters, Tina (Mike) Simon, Denine (Dave) Ike, Connie (Gary) Ehlke, Jan (Greg) Havlik and Kathy (Dave) Juntunen; brothers, Ray (Pam) Schneider and Jeff (Julie) Schneider; mother-in-law, Elizabeth McLellen; brother-in-law, Gary (Robin) McLellen and many nieces and nephews. Other than her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Vernon Wayne McLellen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 13, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery with the Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 PM Friday and 9-11 AM Saturday. There will be a vigil/rosary service at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers sympathy may be expressed in the form of contributions to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244 or the Thornapple-Kellogg Public Schools, 3885 Bender Road, Middleville, MI 49333. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com/memories/55916 to leave a memory of Mary or to sign the online guest register. Arrangement provided by the Osgood Funeral Home.