Mary J. Chouinard was born on April 25, 1940 in Escanaba. She was the daughter of Melvin and Evelyn Jacobsen, former residents of Wells, prior to moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1957.

Mary married Richard J. Chouinard in Milwaukee, and she and Dick recently celebrated their Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary in January. They are the parents of four children, son William of Gladstone; daughters Cynthia (Barry) Stone from South Carolina; and Lynn from Georgia. Mary is preceded in death by infant son Timothy. She is further survived by five loving grandchildren, Tiffany, Casey, Colin, Emily Rose, and Olivia Louise.

She will be missed by her siblings Dolores (Gerald) Bink, Milwaukee; Leon (Susan) Jacobsen, New Berlin, Wis.; Donna (Fred) Beaudry of Florida; and was preceded in death by a brother Michael (Nancie) Kositzky from Georgia. In addition, Mary was a special aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She also has many relatives and friends in the area. Both her parents came from large families so she leaves to mourn many aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends.

Mary and Dick retired to South Carolina where they lived near their daughters for a few years but eventually returned to the Gladstone area in 2003 where they were able to care for Mary’s mother, and to be close to family and friends in the area. It’s not a secret that Mary and Dick shared a love for playing Bingo. Mary went to Bingo at the Gladstone Senior Center the week before she passed away. She loved Bingo especially playing the game with her husband, cousin Nancy, and her uncle Grover.
They played almost every Tuesday night, even when she was very ill.

Mary lost her most courageous battle with lung cancer on Saturday morning March 1, 2008 surrounded by her loving family. Everyone agrees that she fought a valiant fight right to the end to conquer this devastating disease that took her life. She loved life and kept a positive attitude, never complaining, but always believing God would be with her and take care of her. But we lost a beautiful and strong lady who worked so hard in her home and had a wonderful talent for planning activities and was a terrific organizer. She was a great cook and she and Dick made the best potato sausage! Mary was also an excellent navigator for road trips with her husband and other family members. She left the driving to others but could steer us in the right direction!

Mary had another great love in her life – her dog “Shadow”, her great friend and companion who truly was her shadow and followed her wherever she went. Shadow will miss her. All who were privileged to know this great daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend will miss her so very much. We shall meet you again, Mary, in our Heavenly Home for eternity to rejoice with our Lord and Savior! Until we meet again, we love you and your presence in this earthly home won’t be the same without you.

The family of Mary J. Chouinard will receive friends on Wednesday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Services celebrating Mary’s life will follow on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Luncheon will follow services at the All Saints Church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the Chouinard family respectfully requests memorial be directed to the family. Envelopes are available at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the Chouinard family.