Mary Sarle

Mary Margaret Picard Sarle, 78, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025 at her home in Venice, Fl, surrounded by loved ones. Born on January 4, 1947, in Saginaw, MI, Mary lived a vibrant life filled with love, curiosity, and devotion to family and community. Mary graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw in 1965 and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1969 and a master’s degree in Special Education in 1975 from Western Michigan University. She dedicated her career to Special Education in the Kalamazoo Public School system, touching countless lives with her compassion and expertise. Upon retiring, Mary and her beloved husband Robert Jennings relocated to Muskegon, MI, where she embraced a role as volunteer and tour guide at the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse, sharing her love of history with visitors. Together, they volunteered their time restoring the historic S.S. Milwaukee Clipper and serving as tour guides, contributing to the preservation and sharing of Muskegon’s maritime heritage.

An adventurous spirit, Mary explored the world from Europe to Africa and Asia, creating cherished memories including a special trip to Paris with her daughter and European adventures with each of her granddaughters. At 76, she rafted the Colorado river through the Grand Canyon, a cherished journey surrounded by its breathtaking beauty.

Her love for history and genealogy inspired her to explore captivating stories of her family lineage, from the aerial acrobat “Flying Picards” and their circus legacy on her father’s side to the migration from West England to Ontario, Canada on her mother’s side. Mary also found joy in gardening, actively participating in her local garden club. She savored each outings to collect shells near her home in Venice, FL. She relished her daily 5 o’clock happy hour.

Mary’s enduring legacy to her family are fond memories that will never be forgotten. She was a master at baking pies and cakes. Her children would watch as she perfected meringue, all the while explaining the process with patience and calm, a true teacher. She doted on her kids for birthdays with creative personalized cakes, a choo choo train, Miss Piggy, and a big green alligator cake were some of her finest works. Her potato salad was always painstakingly prepared and second to none.

Mary was a crafter and creator, she singlehandedly made Halloween costumes, spending hours perfecting superhero outfits to fit her kids’ imaginations. She could fix any broken action figure with ease. She grew vegetables in a backyard garden and let her little ones dig holes in search of dinosaur bones.

Mary provided her family with culture and knowledge with trips to museums and zoos. She made sure they all went to see theatrical plays and musicals that enriched their minds (whether they liked it or not).

Mary was not quick to anger and never raised her voice to discipline. She treated her children with compassion and care, but would always let them know when she was at the end of her rope. She lived her life by the golden rule and instilled that belief in the way she raised her family. Mary was a woman of peace and love; she was a wonderful mother.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Jennings of Venice, FL; children: Stacy (Marvin) Young of Portage, MI, Aaron (Jillian) Sarle of Fountain Hills, AZ, and Tobin Sarle of Kalamazoo, MI; stepchildren: Robyn (Jim) Krupiczewicz and Sean (Janai) Jennings; grandchildren: Alexi Zeluff (Thomas), Delaney Ann Shafer, Jacob Krupiczewicz, Kamren Jennings, Elijah Jennings, and Bianca Copon-Jennings; and brother, Louis A. Picard (Pauline). She was proceeded in death by her parents, Alexander V. Picard and Katherine M. Picard, and her brother, James V. Picard.

A Life Story Celebration will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 4 PM – 7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. A Time of Sharing will take place at 6:30 PM. Celebrate Mary’s life online by sharing stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Continuum Hospice Foundation at ContinuumFlorida.com in memory of Mary Sarle.

Mary’s warmth, curiosity, and adventurous spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.