Mary Abbey was born August 2, 1939, in Lapeer, MI, to Joseph and Loretta (Milbocker) Sweeney, Mary departed life on December 1, 2025. She was predeceased by her parents, former husbands, Richard Reddington and Lewis Abbey, brother, Clare Sweeney, sisters-in-law, Marilyn Boots, Jane and Kay Sweeney; nephews, Joseph, Brian and Matthew Sweeney.
Surviving are her four sons, Patrick (Shelby) Reddington, David Reddington, Joel and Benjamin Abbey, ten grandchildren, Charis, Ian, Emily, Michael and Samantha Reddington, Aaron and Nathaniel Abbey; Isabelle, Nolan and Jude Kildee; Six great-grandchildren, Ava, Ezra, Ja'Marion, Michael, Kaydence and Zariah, brother, Richard (Brenda) Sweeney, nephews, Tim and Mike Sweeney.
Mary spent six years (1954 -1960) as a member of the Oxford, Michigan Dominican Sisters. Known as Sister Mary Clare, she taught primary grades at St Benedict's, Waterford, Michigan, and St Joseph's, Owosso, Michigan. After returning to civilian life, she did substitute teaching, owned and ran several small businesses and, upon retiring, played piano at nursing homes, organ/piano at churches, and wrote “I Choose the Crown of Thorns - An Ex-Nun Tells Her Story".
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, Lapeer, MI, on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Father Brian Hurley celebrant. Interment: Mt Loretto Cemetery, Lapeer, MI. Arrangements entrusted to Jansen Family Funeral Home – Columbiavllle. |
