Mary Ann DeLisle

Mary Ann DeLisle, resident of Royal Oak, MI, died peacefully at her home on January 3, 2023 at the age of 82 years, after a month of illness. Mary Ann is survived by her husband Karl, and by two sons, John (Liz) and Joe (Annie), and grandson Anthony. Mary Ann grew up in Ferndale and was the Valedictorian of the class of 1958 from St. James High School, but in her characteristically humble way said, “I just outworked everybody.” She obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Mercy College, as well as a Master’s from Wayne State University. After spending the early years of her nursing career at Pontiac State Hospital, she joined the nursing staff at Beaumont from where she retired after 36 years of dedicated service. Her career and personal life were dedicated to caring for others. On March 8, 1975, Mary Ann married Karl, and they enjoyed almost 48 years of marriage. Her family was her pride and joy, and there was no sacrifice she was unwilling to make for those she loved. She was a wonderful wife and mother. When her children were young, the working world was just emerging from “stay-at-home-mom” to “working mom” culture, and Mary Ann was exceptional at combining both skillsets. She was truly a “McGyver” type problem-solver, and taught her sons and many others practical, logical skills for living in a complex world. Mary Ann enjoyed gardening, traveling, organizing, cooking, mechanics of all sorts, conservation causes, Scrabble, and sports. She also enjoyed playing trains and games or doing anything that interested her grandson, Anthony. Mary Ann, a lifelong basketball fan, was the living representation of the “leave it all on the floor” approach to life. The first to wake up, the first to offer help, and the last in the kitchen each night, she lived a life of hard-working, wise decision-making, and high-energy love. To the end, she displayed a reuse/recycle and “press-on” mentality central to both faith and family life, truly a good steward of her resources. Mary Ann was well-known for poignant and timely sayings, speaking up for whomever needed defending (or scolding), and helping her loved ones think twice by using her signature eye-rolls. We will miss her waves good-bye from the front window of her home. Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Karl, sons John (Elizabeth), Joseph (Anne), and grandson Anthony, brother-in-law Armand (Barbara DeLisle), several nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends, including her best friend of over 60 years Noreen Bradford. She was preceded in death by parents Elmer and Lauretta (Weir) Wagner and Armand and Charlotte (Huhn) DeLisle, brothers Charles (Karen) Wagner and Gerald (Connie) DeLisle. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 17, from 4 - 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. (4 blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 18 at 12:00 p.m. (11:30 a.m. gathering) at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, 2100 Twelve Mile Rd., Royal Oak. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield (please meet inside the gates). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider having Masses said or making a memorial contribution to St. Joseph's Indian School in South Dakota: https://www.stjo.org/.

Mary Ann DeLisle

November 23, 1940 - January 3, 2023