Mary Louise Howe

Mary Louise Howe, 96 of Portage, passed away peacefully at Alamo Cove Rehab and Nursing Center on February 6, 2025. She was born on February 24, 1928, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Clarence Grauman and Lora (Heath) Grauman.

Mary’s mother later married Donald Cook. “Daddy Don” as he was known became a loving father figure in her early life. Soon her beloved brother Alvin was born.

Mary graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1946 then joined the workforce. Through the years she worked at Beatties drug store, Sutherland Papermill, and Chicken Charlies, before spending her last 37 work years at the Beacon Club as the head waitress, where she worked into her eighties. Mary’s loyal customers requested her and became lifelong friends.

 On April 5, 1963, she was united in marriage with Buryl R. Howe at Oakwood United Methodist Church. Mary and Bud enjoyed over 51 years together until his passing in 2014.

Mary, affectionately called “Nana” by her grandchildren, had a zest for life and a deep love for her family and friends. She cared for countless dogs over the years and always had a place in her home for a small furry friend.

She kept a beautiful home and particularly loved her antiques and collections of glassware and dishes. Her garden flourished with beautiful roses then expanded to include a massive fruit and vegetable garden. Later, she would add even more flowers and puttering in the garden was a favorite pastime.

 Her fruit pies were famous and she would often bake them for her Beacon Club diners and they were a staple for every celebration. Instead of a birthday cake, Nana made a birthday pie of your choice.

Every holiday was important to Mary, and she celebrated her loved ones just as much as the occasion. She decorated her home and enjoyed every aspect of planning the perfect meal and table. Gift giving was a true joy for Mary, and she took pride in working hard so she could spoil family and friends with gifts and gatherings.

Mary enjoyed the Detroit Tigers and a wide range of sports including figure skating, tennis and gymnastics. She loved watching the Olympic games and taking a trip to Comerica Park each year to catch a baseball game with her family.

Nana was a lover of tea, especially earl gray tea. You could often find her in a moment of quiet enjoying a book and a cup of tea. She loved to host tea parties and treat her guests to a proper tea time. She also loved antiquing and finding garage sales with her sister.

Mary is survived by her children Mike (Amy Doman) Corder and Kim (Dean) Olrich; step children Grace Baty, Valorie Hipsher, and Pam Bench; grandchildren Dawn (Mark) Hines, Jenni (Richard) Jackson, and Reese Olrich; great grandchildren Christopher (Alyssa) Corder, Gabriel Duemler, Jordan Hines, Cameron (Veronica Holden) Hines, Sara Jackson and Grant Jackson, great great granddaughter Delilah Grace Hines; cousin Susan (Chris) Clark; and many step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her mother Lora Forin, father Clarence Grauman, and step father Don Cook, husband Buryl Howe, step son Terry Mast, sister Brenda Powers, brothers Alvin Cook and Jerry Grauman, and special cousin she considered a grandson, PJ Mielke.

Funeral services for Mary will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Home 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Friends may visit with the family from 10AM to 11AM when the funeral begins. A luncheon will follow at the funeral before a graveside service at Portage South Cemetery at 2PM.

Memorial contributions in honor of Mary may be directed to Al-Van Humane Society 73303 8th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090 or Christian Neighbors 282 12th St, Plainwell, MI 49080.

Please visit Mary’s memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.Langelands.com