Obituary of Mary K. Abler

February 20, 1941 - November 14, 2024

Mary K. Abler.  Age 83 of Brownstown. 

Mary Kathryn Abler was a beloved wife to Mark Abler, and loving mother of Benjamin (Jennifer) Abler and Amy Abler. She was a dearest grandmother of Andrew Abler and Alex Abler, adored sister of Tom (Tina) Britton, and proud aunt of 23 nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her granddaughter Emma Grace Abler, brother Eugene (Donna) Britton, brother Harold (Marge) Britton and sister Elizabeth Britton.

Mary was born in Griffith, Indiana, to Ray and Rose Britton. She was the fourth of five children in a hardworking, generous-hearted family that was creative in dealing with life’s practical problems. Her dad worked on the railroad; her mother made clothes and was a great cook. They were loving parents. Mary could help her dad pound shingles on a roof, and she learned seamstress skills from her mother, making jackets and dresses for the needy.

Mary spent some time in the convent as a Franciscan nun, with teaching English and language arts as her career of interest. Over the course of her career, she taught every grade level from elementary to college, with a particular focus on helping students who struggled in school. She eventually left her position in her religious contemplative order to follow her heart more fully toward her life’s work of helping others in more hands-on, direct ways.

While on the faculty at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, she had met Mark Abler, a fellow teacher. They eventually married and moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, to start their life together. Always seeking to use her gifts, Mary taught students from other countries how to speak English, helped mothers in need in birthing their children, and became the “go to person” for oncology doctors whose patients had received a cancer diagnosis and needed support.

Mary and Mark had two wonderful children, Amy and Ben. She was deeply involved in her children’s lives, always encouraging them to grow and pursue their talents while always offering grounded, practical advice and support. Mary absolutely idolized her two grandsons, Andrew and Alex. She was their faithful fan at football, baseball, and basketball games, no matter the weather or how far the distance.

Her heart was big with warmth, and her soul sought to relieve people of their pain and misfortune. Love was her focus. And that is who she has become. And that is where she now dwells.

If you would like to make a donation in Mary's honor, please send it to Angela Hospice in Livonia, Michigan.