Mary L. Schlichting

Mary Louise Schlichting, age 89 died Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at the Lakeshore AFC, Lexington. She was born July 12, 1928 in Okemos, Michigan to the late Walter H. and Esther P. (Grettenberger) Southworth. She married Harold Schlichting August 20, 1949 in Lansing. Mary grew up on the family farm on Farm Lane in East Lansing. As a girl, Mary rode her pony, Queenie, while her father rode his horse and inspected the Michigan Agricultural College (MSU) Farm and Campus. She was a 1946 graduate of Okemos High School, did undergraduate work at MSU and received an RN from the University of Michigan. Mary was a founding member and long serving board member and treasurer of Sanilac Consortium for the Arts. She supported and participated in music and theater, was a long-time member of the Port Sanilac Choral Club. and travelled extensively with her husband. Organized Northshire Renaissance Faire and operated the Flying Dragons ride. She co-authored a series of children’s science books with her husband, Harold. Loved planting flowers and working in her garden. Mary raised six children while moving to Washington State, Texas, Ireland, North Carolina and back to Michigan. Taught her boys to cook and her daughter to have a career. She was the first woman to serve as Sanilac Township Supervisor; worked actively as an assessor until the age of 81; served on the Michigan Township Association Board. Founder of Sanilac Appraisers Inc. Taught vocational nursing classes. Port Sanilac Cemetery Board. Port Sanilac VFW Auxillary. Mary is survived by 5 sons Walt of Croswell, Tom (Karen), and Art (Lois), both of Port Sanilac, Dan (Laura) of Columbus, Ohio, and Joe (Vivian) of Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Gordon and Ernie Southworth; 2 sisters, Jane Gaedke and Carol Symolon. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, daughter Anne, and son-in-law Richard Walsh. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Port Sanilac. Fr. Donald Eppenbrock will officiate. Interment will be in the Port Sanilac Cemetery. Friends may call at the Pomeroy Funeral Home, Lexington from 2-8 PM Friday, July 28 and at the Church from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Sanilac Consortium for the Arts .

Mary L. Schlichting

July 12, 1928 - July 26, 2017