Mary Earley Foley

May 1st, 1935- June 15, 2024

Mary E. Foley passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15 at the age of 89 with family by her side. 

Mary was born May 1st, 1935, to Sara and Thomas Earley. She grew up in Denver, CO and never stopped loving her home state of Colorado. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. She continued to San Diego to graduate from The University of San Diego with her teaching degree. She moved to Denver and began teaching fourth grade in Denver, CO. She met the love of her life John (Jack) Foley on October 17, 1961, and they married on August 11, 1962, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado. After marriage, they moved to Ann Arbor, MI where she taught at Haisley Elementary, and they raised their family.   Together with her husband, they ran their company, Foley’s Uniforms. Their home was filled with children playing inside and outside, neighbors, cousins and friends. Her time was spent helping others, spending time between baseball fields and tennis courts being mom-extraordinaire and volunteering for over two decades as secretary for Saline Social Services. 

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Sara and Thomas Earley, brothers Thomas and Joseph and son, Kevin Foley. Her memory is carried on by her husband, John “Jack” Francis Foley her loving children, Anne Marie Foley, Thomas (Shelley) Foley, John (Beth) Foley, Kathleen (Brad) Edmonds, cherished grandchildren, Sara (Kyle) Grill, Ryan (Abbey Bowen) Foley, Megan Foley, Max and Kyle Foley and Quinn Edmonds. Many wonderful nieces and nephews, including Ray (Liz) Foley and their children Cullen, Grace; John James Foley and his sons Carson and Parker Foley, as well as Joseph Earley (Christopher Wells). 

Her children would say their mom was the best. She was feisty and funny, she was proper, she was kind. Despite enduring deep heartbreak, she still loved to share in joy. She was our fiercest defender. She knew how to keep you in line with a look, she never liked to leave a social event, she just liked being there – circled in celebration. There are many things that will remind us of her…the “ambiance” of  flickering candles, beautiful flowers, twinkling lights, and an impeccably decorated table,  a well penned thank you letter, a spritz of Chanel #5, a smile, bright blue eyes, a listening ear,  quick wit, the entire Birthday month of May, the Colorado mountains — and a deep love for others are just a few . 

We hope that her celebration of life will be filled with love, hugs, laughter and stories and exactly a day she would have wanted to be sitting in the corner, a glass in her hand and a smile on her face. She earned her rest. She dealt with all of us crazy kids with grace and patience that we will never quite grasp. She loved our dad for 61 (and 3/4th’s) years of marriage, she loved each one of us. Losing our brother Kevin broke her huge heart and we know the moment she passed we know he greeted her with a Pinot Grigio and a smile and said, “Welcome home, Mom.” May the road rise to meet you, Mom. We hope you are wrapped in love up there with all of your friends and family.  We were the lucky ones to have you as our mom, we love you and will miss you always.

Visitation 2:00 -3:00 pm ending with Mass at 3:00pm at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Saline, MI 48176. (910 Austin Rd, Saline, MI) on Tuesday, July 30th. A celebration of life will be celebrated at the Saline American Legion (320 W. Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176) Burial at the Columbarium at St. Andrew’s Church following the Mass.