Mary Helen Ayars Ray Died Sept. 23, 2017

Mary Helen Ayars Ray

Died September 23, 2017

Mary Helen Ayars Ray (“MH” to close friends and family), 80, of Wilmette, IL and Omena, MI passed away Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids from complications due to a stroke.

Mary Helen was born Nov. 18, 1936 in Evanston, IL, the daughter of Stewart Vowell Ayars and Ruth (Marshall) Ayars.  She spent every summer of her life in her favorite place on earth, Omena, MI at their family cottage.  As a child, she enjoyed racing Penguin sailboats on Omena Bay and playing amongst the cherry orchards with friends who remained dear to her throughout her life.  She attended Roycemore School (K-12) in Evanston, IL and was valedictorian of her high school class.  Mary Helen graduated from Denison University in Granville, OH in 1958.  At Denison, she earned the honor of Mortar Board and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, remaining strongly involved her entire life. On Dec. 19, 1959 in Evanston, IL she married her loving husband, John Henry Ray, who survives.

John and Mary Helen met at the Harris Bank in Chicago where she worked in trust investments.  After marriage, she taught fifth grade in Lake Forest, IL.  They were loving, involved parents of three children.  Mary Helen volunteered her time to her children’s schools and activities, never missing a child’s recital, Boy Scout event or performance.  She devoted her life to her children, always encouraging them to reach their full potential, while providing an excellent example of a loving marriage.

Mary Helen had a gift for reaching out to others, always including those who may have fallen on difficult times.  She loved her family and always wanted to be a “fly on the wall” at every event, never missing a chance to make a new friend. 

Preservation of the woods she loved so much in Omena, MI was her legacy.  She was one of a small group who created the Omena Woods Association, which has protected 135 acres of land from future development insuring this unique and beautiful place will remain unspoiled for generations to come. 

Mary Helen is survived by her devoted husband of fifty-seven years, John; her three children, Kevin Stewart (Karis) Ray, Michael John (Samantha) Ray, Linda Ruth (Mike) McKenzie; her grandchildren, Meghan, Elizabeth and Hannah Ray, Tatum Ray, Jack, Emily, Owen and Henry McKenzie; and her niece, Nancy Linn Goodman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by her sister Alice Ayars (John) Linn, and her nephew, Jeffrey Linn.  Family graveside services at the Omena Hillcrest Cemetery, Omena, MI have been held. 

A celebration of Mary Helen’s life will be held in Wilmette, IL on Saturday, November 4^th at 3PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette.  Another celebration in Omena, MI in July 2018 also be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Omena Woods Association, P.O. Box 55, Omena, MI 49674

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau. 

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Sandra L. Leabo Died Sept. 27, 2017

Sandra Lee Leabo

Died September 27, 2017

NORTHPORT – Sandra Lee Leabo, 79, of Northport, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Sandy was born Aug. 21, 1938 in Dearborn the daughter of Robert and Audrian (Merryman) Campbell.  On Aug. 2, 1988 in Leland she married Kreig Leabo who preceded her in death on Jan. 3, 1989.

Sandy was born in Dearborn and moved to Northport in 1973.  She was employed as a Pharmacy Technician for 40 years retiring just two years ago.  Sandy was a very dedicated bowler and bowled on a Traverse Woman's League from 1977 until the spring of this year.  Sandra loved flowers, birds, and spending time at home or away with family.

Sandy is survived by her children, Janine (Douglas) Koehn, Clifford (Maysel) Denton, Lisa (Jesus) Escarcega, Sherie (Terry) Selkirk, David Bankston; her siblings; Robert Campbell, Nancy McDonald, a step-daughter, Keri Price, a sister-in-law Anne Leabo; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and a sister, Caryn Campbell.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Trinity Church of the United Church of Christ in Northport.  Pastor Phil Garrison will officiate.  Private family burial in Cadillac Memorial Gardens in Westland will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Highway, Traverse City, MI, 49686 and/or Trinity Church of the United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 156, Northport, MI 49670.

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