Mary V. Houghton, age 97, of 1507 Wisconsin Avenue, Gladstone, passed away Sunday morning October 18, 2009 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba where she was a patient.

Mary was born May 30, 1912 in Garnet, MI the daughter of Robert and Rachel (Bottrell) McGillvary. She was raised in Garnet and she attended school in Rexton. While in Garnet, Mary worked for the Hiawatha Club in Naubinway.

Mary was united in marriage in 1934 to Walter S. Houghton and they relocated to Gladstone in 1939 when Walter was transferred here to work for the Soo Line Railroad. Mary worked for Shaw Cleaners for many years until her retirement.

Mary was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone for over 50 years where she was active in the Evening Service Guild. She was also a member of the R.C. Hatheway Chapter #49, Order of Eastern Star. Mary enjoyed reading and quilting. She helped make quilts for several years at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone.

Survivors include:

Son; Walter C. (Lettie) Houghton of Gladstone

2 daughters; Norma Jean Hager of Ephraim, WI and Linda Reeves of Colorado Springs, CO.

4 grandchildren; John “Ben” Hager of Madison, WI, Allison Reeves of Albuquerque, N.M., Walter Houghton of Holt, MI and Kirstin Burchett of Puyallup, WA.

2 great grandchildren; Grace and Holden Burchett

Numerous nieces and nephews

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband Walter on April 26, 1989 and 3 brothers, Benjamin, Robert and Garnet.

Memorial services celebrating the life of Mary V. Houghton will be held on Saturday October 24, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone with Rev. Jackie Roe officiating. Luncheon will follow services in Smith Hall at the Memorial United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions in memory of Mary may be directed to the Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.