Mary Oswald

With a zest for life that was as limitless as the ocean is blue, Mary Oswald was an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. She was a woman of great passion towards many things including her family, her faith, and simply the way she took each moment and held it captive. Mary was blessed to share the sunset of her life with her true soul mate with whom she traveled the nation, truly experiencing life at its best. She was a prankster, a party girl, and even downright crazy at times, but above all else, Mary was a devoted sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Many historians view the year 1931 to be one of the toughest years in our nation’s history as it was one of the worst years throughout the Great Depression. The entire decade of the thirties was cloaked in hardship leaving many people without jobs, without homes, and even without hope. It was during this year, however, that Roy and Minerva (Cady) Smith were able to shift their focus to a joyous time within their own family since on November 8th of that year, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Mary was born in Detroit, Michigan, as the oldest of four children in her family, which included siblings Audrey, Gregory, and Virginia. Her father worked as a traveling salesman while her mother was a homemaker for several years. When Mary was five years old, she moved with her family to Kalamazoo where her mother took a job in the office at Eckrich after getting divorced. For her formal education, Mary attended St. Joseph Elementary School and later graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1949.

Just a short time after she graduated, Mary married Bob Honeysett when she was just 18, although he was three years her senior. The couple was blessed with six children together, and Mary fully immersed herself into raising her children during their younger years. As a mother, Mary had that special something that is so hard to incorporate into parenting – a sense of humor! She was firm when needed, yet always made sure that her children knew they were deeply loved. Once her children were all in school, Mary worked in registration at Western Michigan University. She later worked at Beltone and finally retired from Upjohn. For several years, she also did seasonal work with the voting booths during elections.

Mary was a woman of many interests. In addition to her family, Mary’s faith was near and dear to her heart. She was devout in her Catholic faith and an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mary volunteered for nearly every activity her church was involved in, including organizing the donut program that still exists to this day. She was a whiz in the kitchen, and her dishes were always top-notch. She even worked as a cook at Brook Lodge for a short time. Mary delighted in preparing food for various family gatherings, and everyone always looked forward to the dozens of Christmas cakes she made each year. She loved camping with a travel trailer and organized a St. Joseph church campout. Mary was an avid bridge card player and a member of various clubs for over 40 years. Once she was blessed with grandchildren, spending time with them became one of her most treasured ways to spend time.

Life was forever changed for Mary when she met her true soul mate, Lewis “Lew” Oswald. In many ways, they were two peas in a pod who were married on April 14, 1983, in Las Vegas. Mary retired in 1992 and Lew retired from Beacon Tool just one year later and together, they made the most of their free time. Lew had a motorcycle and for his birthday, Mary upgraded it. They traveled all over on his motorcycle, even with their dogs at times! Mary and Lew purchased a motor home and traveled to all of the contiguous United States and throughout Canada. They spent 14 winters in the Brownsville area in Texas where they became very involved with senior shows called Cabrera’s shows. Both Mary and Lew were fun-loving people who really got into their roles in the show, although she more than he. She loved to be crazy and dress up, often coaxing others into it, too. Mary couldn’t carry a tune, but that never stopped her from performing and singing. While traveling, Mary and Lew also became “carnies,” working as ride operators in Iowa in return for free rental for their motor home. They later did the same thing in Vermont.

There were so many ways in which Mary was so unique. She was a bit of a “party girl” who especially enjoyed “trick ‘n drinking” for Halloween. Mary rarely stayed off the dance floor and frequently watched Lewis sing and play harmonica in the male chorus. She also couldn’t get enough of reading trashy romance novels and mysteries. Mary liked to golf and bowl and never gave up trying. She treasured the companionship of their dogs through the years, and she shared special relationships with a close group of friends from high school.

Like an exquisite rose, Mary Oswald was a true gift whose beauty continued to unfold out of every facet of her personality. She loved life and spent her days making the most of every opportunity. Mary was devoted to her family and was always looking for ways in which she could brighten the lives of others. She leaves behind a colorful mosaic of memories as vibrant as a glorious sunrise. Although Mary’s family and friends now say goodbye, they will be forever grateful for the precious moments they were given to share with such a remarkable woman.

Mary Oswald of Kalamazoo died March 3, 2010 at her home. Mary’s family includes her husband of 26 years, Lewis Oswald; 6 children: Michael (Shirley) Honeysett, Paul (Mary) Honeysett, Kevin (Eileen) Honeysett, Karen (Dan) Hulet, Mark (Linda) Honeysett , and Lisa Hotchkiss; 3 step-children: Bryan (Karen) Oswald, Paul Oswald and Michael (Carmen) Oswald; 19 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings: Gregory Smith and Virginia Simmons and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Audrey DeBoer. Services will be held Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900 followed by a luncheon in the Life Story Center. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign her online guest book, or make a memorial contribution to Borgess VNA Hospice.