Mary Louise (Donnelly) Birkham

Beloved mother and grandmother passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Stone Crest Assisted Living. Age 92 years. The daughter of the late Peter and Florence (Stitt) Donnelly, Mary was born June 5, 1926 in Allen, Michigan. She earned her Degree in Journalism from Marygrove College in Detroit and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan. She married George A. Birkam, Jr., on April 28, 1951. He predeceased her February 6, 2013. Mary was employed at Detroit Catholic Central High School in Redford, Michigan until her retirement. She and George moved to Tawas in 1986. She served on the Iosco County Library Board, the Ladies Literary Guild and was a volunteer at Tawas St. Joseph Hospital. Mary was a past member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Tawas and a current member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, baking and playing cards. Most of all, Mary loved spending time with family and friends.

Surviving are two sons and two daughters, George A. Birkam III and his wife Dianne, Monroe; Anne Birkam, Saginaw; Fritz Birkam and his wife Diane, St. Clair Shores; Monica Birkam, Auburn Hills; a granddaughter, Erin Birkam and her husband Luis Varona, Clarksville, Tennessee; a great-grandson, Mitchell Davis; a sister, Helen Harig, Blaine, Washington; several nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers, Irene Webster, Richard, Charles and William Donnelly.

Mary’s family extends their gratitude and appreciation to Stone Crest Assisted Living and V.N.A. Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

Honoring Mrs. Birkam’s wishes, her body was anatomically donated to Wayne State University. A Memorial Liturgy will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Road in Saginaw. Rev. Fr. Peter Gaspeny will officiate. Friends may visit at Holy Spirit Catholic Church where the family will be present on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the East Tawas Public Library.