Obituary for Mary Christine Groat (Groat)
Mary Christine Groat was born on November 5, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Allen and Joraine (Sieber) Groat, both originally from Wisconsin. Mary died on November 11, 2021 at age 73 from complications related to dementia. She was gifted with words, writing both short stories and poems while still in grade school. She had the vocabulary of a high school graduate while still in grade school. Mary was a prodigious reader who read mysteries, medical histories and biblical/theological text for leisure reading. She audited theological classes at Concordia University and did private study of Biblical Hebrew with a Concordia professor. She used her studies to develop and teach an adult Bible class at Divine Shepard Lutheran Church.
Prior to her illness, Mary recited Bible verses, the opening to Canterbury Tales in middle English and parts of Lord of the Rings from memory. In addition to reading, her hobbies included baking and cooking, crocheting and in later years, bridge, and art.
Mary went to school to become a registered nurse working in Illinois, Texas and Michigan. Her nursing career came to an end due to multiple incidents of cancer and depression. Mary traveled to outings in the Midwest with the Ypsilanti Township Senior Center. She also traveled with her sister, Susan, on cruises to Alaska, the British Isles and the Panama Canal and she went on a Trafalgar trip to Germany.
Mary went to assisted living in Auburn Hills after being diagnosed with dementia in 2018. She moved to Waltonwood Cherry Hill in Canton after being placed on hospice care in 2021. Seasons hospice oversaw her care and both are much appreciated for Mary’s care.
Mary is survived by her sister, Susan; her aunt, Marcella Sieber (Lawrence) Bohman of Wisconsin; and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; her youngest sister, Judith; and many aunts and uncles.
A funeral service in care of Nie Funeral Home will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 10:30am at Faith Lutheran Church with visitation beforehand at 10am at 1255 E. Forest Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Ann Arbor, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s honor to the American Cancer Society by mail to P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; Faith Lutheran Church, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness by mail to 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203.
Prior to her illness, Mary recited Bible verses, the opening to Canterbury Tales in middle English and parts of Lord of the Rings from memory. In addition to reading, her hobbies included baking and cooking, crocheting and in later years, bridge, and art.
Mary went to school to become a registered nurse working in Illinois, Texas and Michigan. Her nursing career came to an end due to multiple incidents of cancer and depression. Mary traveled to outings in the Midwest with the Ypsilanti Township Senior Center. She also traveled with her sister, Susan, on cruises to Alaska, the British Isles and the Panama Canal and she went on a Trafalgar trip to Germany.
Mary went to assisted living in Auburn Hills after being diagnosed with dementia in 2018. She moved to Waltonwood Cherry Hill in Canton after being placed on hospice care in 2021. Seasons hospice oversaw her care and both are much appreciated for Mary’s care.
Mary is survived by her sister, Susan; her aunt, Marcella Sieber (Lawrence) Bohman of Wisconsin; and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; her youngest sister, Judith; and many aunts and uncles.
A funeral service in care of Nie Funeral Home will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 10:30am at Faith Lutheran Church with visitation beforehand at 10am at 1255 E. Forest Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Ann Arbor, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s honor to the American Cancer Society by mail to P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; Faith Lutheran Church, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness by mail to 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203.