Mary D Reed Arnold - 90
November 1, 1925 – January 28, 2016

Mary was born on All Saints Day, November 1, 1925, in Ishpeming, Michigan. She died on January 28, 2016 in Glendale, California with her family by her side.

Mary was the only child of William P. Reed, from Calumet, MI and Dorothea Eger of Ishpeming, MI. Her father was the local pharmacist at Tillson's Drug Store and her mother taught home economics.

Mary was raised in Ishpeming and was extremely proud of her ancestry. Her two daughters became the fifth generation to be raised on the homestead established in the 1800's by her Swedish great grandfather, an Ishpeming pioneer.

Mary graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1943, and then graduated from Michigan State University in 1947 with a BS degree in Dietetics. During her time at MSU, she joined the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She became a lifetime member and throughout 60+ years she maintained her friendships with her original sorority sisters. Post college, she completed her dietetic internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in 1948. Her first job as a dietitian was with the Veterans' Administration Hospital, Dearborn (1948-51), where she helped World War II and Korean War vets adjust to their new dietary requirements and medical conditions. Her career carried her through a variety of dietetic venues, including hospitals, consulting and a state inspector surveying skilled nursing facilities for compliance. She was a lifetime (60+ years) member of the American Dietetic Association. Through the years she held numerous leadership positions including two Presidencies; one at a local level and the other as President of the Illinois State Consultant Dietitian's Association.

While attending MSU, Mary met the love of her life, Lawrence L Arnold, and they married after graduation on October 1, 1949 in Ishpeming. Larry was a B24 bomber navigator serving on 54 missions during WWII prior to completing his civil engineering degree at MSU. Before launching his construction career with the Gust K Newberg Construction Company (Chicago), Larry managed and assisted Mary's father at Tillson's Drug Store in Ishpeming until his death in 1951. It was Larry's career that transferred the family from MI, to CA, to FLA, to ILL, back to FLA for retirement and ultimately ending in CA at Windsor Manor.

Mary and Larry both believed in community, giving back and making a positive difference. They were active in their Presbyterian Church, Girl Scouting with their daughters and granddaughters, PTA, square dancing (The Cartwheelers), bridge, homeowner's associations and of course, the alumni association for MSU. Mary was also an active member of the AAUW (American Association of University Women), and a lifetime member (50+years) of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mary embraced life with adventure and joy (despite being legally blind due to macular degeneration for the last 6 years of her life). She was proud of her family, loved and treated friends as family and always made sure everyone was always taken care of. She enjoyed making pasties, throwing parties, listening to Lawrence Welk (in CA she even danced with Mr. Welk!), traveling, exploring lighthouses, visiting her special childhood summer camp at Island Lake (the Eger camp), and she loved the moon. She would speak with her friends across the country during a full moon as she said "we can all see the same moon as we are sharing conversations". She continued to travel to see her family in FLA and friends across the country until two weeks before her death.

While living at Windsor Manor (2007-2016), her door was always open and her friendships with the residents and staff were of utmost importance to her. She loved participating in the monthly English Tea service and sharing "Sparty" while cheering on those beloved MSU Spartans! Football season provided friendly rivalry and fun.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Arnold in 2008. Her remaining family are Daughter's, Gail Arnold King (Greg Dyro) of Glendale, CA, Susan Arnold Kelly (James) of Bradenton, FLA, Granddaughter's, Sarah King Krauszer (Adam) of Chicago, Ill, Melissa Kelly and Katie Kelly of Bradenton, FLA, Cousins, Alfred Eger (Linda) Surprise, AZ, Tom Eger, Port Orchard, WA, and Richard Eger, Manchester, NH. Step family includes, Stan Dyro of Los Angeles, CA, Heather Dyro Ferrier (Nick), great grandchildren Vincent and Eleanor Ferrier all of Culver City, CA.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A graveside service will be held on July 5th at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Mary's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

Memorial considerations may be directed in Mary's name to those listed below, or to a favorite charity of your choice.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind
611 Granite Springs Rd
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Toll Free Phone: 800-942-0149
www.guidingeyes.org

American Lung Association National Office
55 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1150
Chicago, Illinois 60601
1-800-548-8252
info@lung.org