Mary Ann Homrich

Positive, generous, and kind, Mary Ann Homrich lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. She embodied the principles of her faith, welcoming each day as a gift and every person as a friend. She loved everyone and, regardless of life’s hardships, always looked on the bright side. Fondly known by her family as “the Princess of Parchment,” Mary Ann always led from the heart and never hesitated to lend a hand in hopes of making life easier for others. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Mary Ann will long be remembered and so very missed.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 9, 1933, Mary Ann, along with her older sister Peggy, was adopted by her uncle, Alfred Perlick, and his wife, Anna Haessig Perlick. The youngest of four, Mary Ann’s oldest two siblings were raised by her birth parents. Growing up in Parchment, Michigan, Mary Ann’s father made sure to take the family to as many places as he could. Most summers were spent traveling; the family even attended the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. Mary Ann attended St. Augustine High School in Kalamazoo, where she was a cheerleader and had a strong group of friends who remained close through adulthood. Summertime was often spent at the family's house on Crooked Lake in Delton, which Mary Ann's dad built when she was 14. Mary Ann especially enjoyed fishing from the pontoon boat while at the lake.

As an 11th grader, Mary Ann purposely sat behind Jim Homrich in class. Smitten with her classmate, in little time, the pair were dating. They enjoyed dancing at the Canteen in downtown Kalamazoo, followed by dinner at Chicken Charlie’s. Setting their hearts on building a future together after Jim completed boot camp and returned home, the happy couple married on July 25, 1953, at St. Augustine Church. As Jim was scheduled to deploy to Korea, the newlyweds enjoyed a brief honeymoon. Later, when Jim was stationed with the U.S. Army in Hawaii, he and Mary Ann enjoyed their own apartment in Waikiki.

In time, Mary Ann and Jim were blessed to welcome five children to their family. Debbie, Sue, Richard, Steve, and Jeannie quickly became the centers of their worlds, and Mary Ann devoted herself to creating a loving and supportive home for her family. Because Jim worked as a truck driver all week, the family typically stayed close to home on the weekends. They often spent time at the lake or took a Sunday drive to spontaneously visit family. The family also enjoyed camping and cabin rentals. When Mary Ann inherited the home her father built on Crooked Lake, it became her summer home and a place she loved to gather with her loved ones.

Mary Ann was a terrific mom. She volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughters and gave of her time volunteering as a Sloppy Joe lady at St. Mary’s, where her kids went to school. A terrific cook, the family rarely ate out. Sunday meals were a big deal, often showcasing Mary Ann’s unrivaled pot roast, fried chicken, and homemade apple sauce. Her family eventually made their own cookbook featuring many of Mary Ann’s recipes. These include her famous apple sauce, which she brought to every family gathering, something her grandchildren always looked forward to.

Besides cooking, Mary Ann was a great seamstress. She made curtains, children’s clothes, prom dresses, wedding dresses, and bridesmaid dresses for family and friends with tremendous skill and passion. She also mastered the art of deconstructing garments and turning them into something new and wonderful. Mary Ann enjoyed knitting, too. Every member of her family has knitted dishcloths or afghans lovingly made for them by Mary Ann. Sometimes, she even had a booth at a local craft show. Her items always had special tags with “Made for you by Mary Ann” stitched on them.

Any place they went, Mary Ann and Jim were always the life of the party. They did a lot with other couples who they had been friends with since high school. They also gathered in the summer with friends who also wintered in Florida. Mary Ann was the quintessential planner and organized all their high school reunions. Mary Ann also enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and traveling with Jim. For many years, they traveled in their 5th-wheel trailer, taking it all over the country. Great trips to Arizona, Texas, and Florida were enjoyed. Later on, when they upgraded to a motorhome, they enjoyed a seven-week trip out west to visit all the national parks. The couple returned to Waikiki on vacation and found the apartment where they began their marriage. Though much had changed, their trip was filled with many fond memories. Mary Ann and Jim also loved spending winters at Happy Days Park in Zephyrhills, Florida and travel to their timeshares. They enjoyed swapping their weeks to travel to new places and even took the kids on several vacations. The most fun was had when the whole family was together.

Without a doubt, family was Mary Ann’s greatest joy. She was a devoted mother to all of her children and the best grandma. She never said “No” to babysitting, and supported her grandchildren in every possible way. For her 80th birthday, her kids took her to all the breweries in downtown Kalamazoo, where she relished being the life of the party and celebrating with those she so dearly loved.

Five years ago, Mary Ann and Jim moved to Friendship Village, where she quickly fit right in with the other residents of the community. Outgoing and very social, she could often be found waving across the dining room at other friends. Jim’s health declined, and he died peacefully on February 19, 2019. Mary Ann spent many weeks during the pandemic living with Richard and Anne at her lake home and during the following years lived for a time in the assisted and memory care units at Friendship. When Mary Ann required more care, she was moved to skilled nursing, where she remained positive and lived her Catholic faith through her final days. On October 1, 2023, she suffered a stroke and died peacefully with family by her side on the evening of October 4, 2023.

Clearly, the world feels less certain in the absence of Mary Ann’s steadfast, vibrant spirit and companionship. May we find comfort in our many treasured memories and the knowing that she is reunited with her beloved. May we also find comfort in carrying Mary Ann’s beautiful legacy forward. Every moment we choose faith and hope over fear, love wholeheartedly, cheer on our loved one’s endeavors, savor homemade apple sauce, or dance with our sweetheart, we celebrate the many ways Mary Ann gifted our lives. In this way, we keep her loving spirit alive and inspiring others as she inspired each of us.

Mary Ann is survived by 5 children: Debbie (David) Brown, Sue (Jeff) Henshaw, Richard (Anne) Homrich, Steve (Nancy) Homrich, Jeannie (Terry) Henderson; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Donna (Dan) Collins; and many nieces, nephews, and friends whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, in 2019. Cremation has taken place. Visit with family and friends on Wednesday, October 18th, from 5–7 pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where the Rosary will be recited at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 19th at 10:30 am at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 1628 E. G Ave., Parchment. The family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass at the church. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Burial will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery following the luncheon. Please visit Mary Ann’s personal web page at BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, photo, and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.