Mary Helen Anderson

MARY HELEN ANDERSON (née SMUTZ), born on August 4, 1922, in Harlan, Iowa, passed away at the age of 101 on May 24, 2024, in Lake Orion, Michigan. Daughter of Glenn John Smutz and Delia Susan McBride, she was a loving, family-oriented and intelligent woman, Mary dedicated her life to faith, family and friends. Mary pursued her passion for education at Kansas Wesleyan University after graduating from high school in Clyde, Kansas. She embarked on a fulfilling career as an English teacher and a piano teacher. Later, she served as an account executive with two CPA firms, and played a significant role as an executive in her husband's business. While singing with two of her sisters at the U.S.O. in Salina, Kansas, she met the love of her life, her husband of 70 years, Andy (Virgil). He had returned from the occupation in Japan and was mustering out of the army at Fort Lewis. Enraptured with her singing and challenged by her table tennis skills, he was hooked and they were married in Salina on July 28, 1946. Over the next 70 years, they raised two children, traveled throughout the continental US, made 25 visits to Hawaii, visited every major continent, owned their own business, flew their own airplane, belonged to Walnut Creek Country Club and played golf all over the world. Mary was a devout member of Trinity in the Woods Episcopal Church in Farmington Hills, MI, where she sang in the choir for several years and actively participated in community activities and services for 65 years. Mary's legacy is carried on by her loving family. She is survived by her son Jack (the late Linda) Anderson; daughter Dee Ann (Marty) Post; grandchildren Krissy (the late Chuck) Kentros, Gordon Anderson, Dennis Anderson, Julie Keiser, and Jeffrey (Blair) Keiser; and great-grandsons, Zachary Kentros, Brandon Kentros, Chrome Keiser, and Canon Keiser. Step grandmother to Katie, Laura, Carrie and Megan. Step great-grandmother to Zada, Wyatt, Ian, Cohen and Paxton. She was preceded in death by her siblings John Smutz, Fran Gilley, Ruth Burgess, and Peggy Brewer. A service to celebrate Mary's life will be held on August 17th at 11 AM at Trinity in the Woods Episcopal Church, Farmington Hills, MI. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity in the Woods in her memory. Mary's legacy of love, wisdom, and kindness will forever be remembered by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know her.

Mary Helen Anderson

August 4, 1922 - May 25, 2024