Mary Ann Rilley

Mary Ann Rilley of Washington Township passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2023. She is survived by children Robert (Amy), Michael (Mary), Elizabeth and David (Jill); grandchildren Jonathan (Lisa), Nicholas, Andrew (Sabrina), Michael (Kelsey), Matthew, Mark (Kristina), Christopher, Sam and Elise; great-grandchildren Carson, Aaron, Rebecca, Ella, Asher, the late River, Parker, Maddie, and Everett; sisters-in-law Patricia (Richard) Brozowski and Patricia (Robert) Brozowski, and many, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Bob, in November of 2022. Born on December 29, 1937 in Detroit to Arthur and Cecelia Brozowski, Mary Ann was the youngest of four. She was raised on the east side of Detroit and graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1955, where she played basketball and was a cheerleader. A few years after graduation, she met Bob Rilley when they both were attendants at the wedding of friends. They were married on November 26, 1959 at St. Thomas in Detroit and soon began to build what was always the most important thing to Mary Ann: family. Welcoming four kids by their fifth anniversary, Mary Ann loved being a mother and she and Bob moved the family to Romeo in 1967, from the city to a home in the country with space and quiet. Her brothers Rich and Bob also moved out of the city and their families grew up together, spending every holiday and many other fun times together. Mary Ann continued the Brozowski family Thanksgiving at her home until there were just too many people to fit, even when she had the piano moved to the basement to make more room. When the family tradition continued at a local hall, she remained hostess and head chef, always believing that it was important that "at least once a year the whole family gathers around one table", a table always immaculately set with beautiful crystal and candles, reflecting how special the occasion was to her. Her gift bows are immediately recognizable and she was a creative and talented seamstress - custom curtains, valances and pillows helped make every space warm and welcoming. Once all the kids were in school full time, Mary Ann earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University and her Master's from Saginaw Valley University. She began teaching at West Utica Elementary in 1977 which is where she spent her entire teaching career and met some of her dearest friends whom she still lunched with regularly. Mary Ann and the kids spent summers at their home in Bayview, Petoskey and Bob joined on the weekends until he could be there full time upon retirement. Her mother once laughingly said "You're the only people I know who leave the countryside to spend summer in a city." Mary Ann loved the Vespers and all of the music and community in Bayview, and she loved working on her beautiful garden and on projects to restore their Victorian cottage. She always welcomed family and friends at Bayview and enjoyed spoiling them with amazing food--breakfast, lunch and dinner. She always had treats for the dogs walking by and enjoyed chatting with them (and their owners). Mary Ann was definitely a dog person, having had three Old English sheep dogs and several strays who made their way to her Mound Road home. Mary Ann was a kind and generous person who will be profoundly missed by the family she treasured and all who knew her. Visitation at the Wm Sullivan & Son Funeral Home 8459 Hall Road (3 Blks E. of Van Dyke) Utica on Sunday1 -6 pm and Monday 4 -8 pm with a 7 pm Rosary. Instate Tuesday from 9:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass 10:00 am at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church 343 S. Main Street Romeo. Interment will take place immediately following Mass at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Washington Township Michigan. Memorials appreciated to the Humane Society of Macomb, 1350 22 Mile Rd, Utica, MI 48317. Please share a memory at SullivanFuneralDirectors.com

Mary Ann Rilley

December 29, 1937 - September 13, 2023