Mary Elizabeth Penley, age 82, of Dundee, Michigan went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The daughter of the late Francis Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Sprague) Dorner, Mary was born on October 29, 1942 in Monroe, Michigan. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1960 and went on to attend and graduate from Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School.
Mary worked for Ford Motor Company for a time, she then worked as a secretary for Dundee High School, and finally she went to work as a secretary for Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan where she retired from.
In 1991 Mary married James Ronald Penley in Toledo, Ohio. Together they shared nearly 35 years of love. Over the years they moved around a bit, but they always treasured their time living in Burnsville, North Carolina the most. Despite moving back to Monroe in more recent years, Burnsville was a truly special place to Mary.
Mary loved to talk about North Carolina, she enjoyed knitting and gardening. She was always out working in the yard planting flowers. She also had a great love for music. More than anything Mary loved her family.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband, James; her daughter, Patty Jo (Michael) Thompson; her granddaughter, Mary Mikayla (Richard Miles) Thompson; her great grandson, Richard Michael Miles; her sisters Pamela (Neal) Bauder and Catherine Burger; and her nieces.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Marguerite "Patty" Thomas.
In accordance with Mary's wishes cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan is assisting Mary's family with funeral arrangements.