MARY CATHERINE RUBY

Mary Catherine Ruby age 90 of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Safe Haven Assisted Living, Okemos, Michigan. Mary was born the daughter of Marguerite B. (McIlhargie) Fanning and Bryan T. Fanning on December 31, 1934, in Harrison, Michigan. Proud to be a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Mercy Central School of Nursing in 1955. She worked in many different capacities. OB mostly, but also, was the Lead Nurse for infection control for the hospital. The Charge Nurse for a convict care unit. She also worked for many years for Provincial House, an elderly care facility in Lansing.

Mary was a dedicated mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a selfless shining example of grace, kindness, Godly, loving, compassionate, funny and careful with her words. She loved her flowers and birds. She enjoyed driving all across Michigan to attend and support all of her grand’s events. She was a dedicated Spartan and Tiger fan throughout the years. Many will remember Mary for her famous chocolate chip cookies, that were considered the “best on the planet”. She had a great love for her ties to Harrison and always considered Harrison as her home. From notes to Grandma: thank you, for showing us what is means to be a devout woman, mother, grandmother and friend and showing what family means. The bible says: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.  

Surviving Mary are her six loving children; Tom M. Ruby and wife Joy of Williamsburg, Michigan and their four children; Kate (Jason) Connors, Greg (Emily) Ruby, Aaron (Meghan) Ruby and Will Ruby, Greg P. Ruby and wife Teri of Oscoda, Michigan and their three children; Greg (Lauren) Ruby Jr., Tim (Amanda) Ruby and Mary (Tyler) Alda, Sue M. Fountain and husband Glenn of Holt, Michigan and their three children; Eric (Ashlee) Fountain, Emily (Mike) Croze and Jason (Sierra) Fountain, Mary Beth Barkholz and husband Dan of Manistee, Michigan and their three children; Mallory (Lucas) Lyman, Olivia (Aaron) Lorraine and Andre (Jenna) Barkholz, Bryan J. Ruby of Dimondale, Michigan and his four children; Savannah (Kris) Dowdy, Becca Ruby, Luke Kenger and Brittney Kenger, Christopher P. Ruby and wife Debbie of DeWitt, Michigan and their four children; Christopher (Marissa) Ruby Jr., Justin (Katie) Ruby, Jessica Ruby and Kevin (Merrick) Ruby, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Thomas Fanning and one daughter-in-law, Lene Ruby.

A memorial mass for Mary will be held at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, 310 S. Broad Street, Harrison on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Father J. Marcel Portelli presiding. Rite of burial will immediately follow at St. Athanasius Catholic Cemetery, Harrison, with a luncheon and time of sharing immediately following cemetery services at: St. Athanasius Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at the church on the day of service from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Memorial gifts in memory of Mary may be considered to: Life Choices of Central Michigan, 1985 Parkland Drive, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858, envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To share an online memory or condolence with Mary’s family, please visit: www.clarkstocking.com. Arrangements for Mary are entrusted with Clark-Stocking Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service (989)539-7810.