Mary A. Ammond

MARY ALPHONSINE ATKINS AMMOND December 18, 1917 – December 4, 2006 With an aura of celestial grace and charm, Mary Ammond warmed the hearts of family and friends with the loving gaze of her hazel eyes, the comforting touch of her hand and soft-spoken words of faith. “She was an angel on Earth who guided, supported and cherished family, friends and all who crossed her path,” said her granddaughter, Abby Frey. “She enriched anyone who was blessed with her presence.” As a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she lavished her special power of love on her family. As a schoolteacher and guidance counselor, she empowered young minds for learning and embarking on purposeful careers. As a blood drive volunteer, she helped to save lives in her community. And as a devout member of her church, her presence and prayers inspired and uplifted countless men, women and children. “She was a faith-filled woman who loved her family and always helped others,” said her daughter, Ann LaFond. “She had an incredibly generous and peaceful spirit that touched many people’s hearts.” Mrs. Ammond died of natural causes on Monday, December 4, 2006, in her home in West Branch. She was 88. Born on December 18, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, Mary Alphonsine Atkins was one of four children of Alphonsine LaLonde Atkins, a homemaker, and Samuel Merrit Atkins, a court stenographer. After moving to West Branch in 1923, she attended St. Joseph School. At age 12, she began playing the organ for mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 1935, she graduated valedictorian from St. Joseph High School. She attended Grand Rapids Junior College, then transferred to Marygrove College in Detroit, where in 1939 she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. After that, Mrs. Ammond obtained her lifetime teaching certificate and taught fifth grade at Roscommon Garish Higgins School. Two years later, on April 14, 1941, she married Sterling Ammond. For the next 25 years, she devoted her life to her family, raising eight children with Sterling, a Mobil Oil distributor. The Ammonds took their children to church, where Mrs. Ammond continued to play the organ. She also volunteered with 4H so that she could participate in programs with her children. As a 4H group leader, she served on the county and state guidance councils. Later, with her children off to college, Mrs. Ammond earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance, graduating with honors from Central Michigan University. Then Mrs. Ammond became the first elementary school counselor at Rose City Elementary School, where she shared her nurturing spirit with students for 11 years. When Mrs. Ammond retired, she and her husband traveled the world, visiting beautiful places such as Hawaii and Europe. At the same time, Mrs. Ammond celebrated the births of her grandchildren. Mrs. Ammond also invested her volunteer spirit with the American Red Cross by organizing a blood drive four times each year. When her husband became ill, she nurtured him back to wellness for a time. After 45 years of marriage, Sterling Ammond died on April 29, 1986. His death inspired Mrs. Ammond to share her time with the hospice that had helped him. And because he had required several blood transfusions during his illness, Mrs. Ammond showed her appreciation to the Red Cross by continuing to coordinate Blood Mobiles for the following decade. At the same time, Mrs. Ammond became active with the Daughters of the American Revolution, for which she served as a regent and sang in the choir. Her passion for genealogy enabled her to trace her family’s roots in the United States back to 1600. She also discovered that her family lineage was in Michigan when it became a state. A member of the West Branch Historical Society, Mrs. Ammond also served on the board of the West Branch Public Library. Meanwhile, she enjoyed playing bridge, reading, watching television, knitting, cooking, attending musicals and baking chocolate silk pie. As a teacher and lecturer with the Right of Christian Initiation program, she mentored people who were joining the Catholic faith. The League of Catholic Women named Mrs. Ammond “Mother of the Year” in 1964. Two decades later, she was honored by the governor’s wife as one of 150 outstanding women in Michigan. In 2000, she was named “Mrs. Smiley” by the City of West Branch. Mrs. Ammond was preceded in death by: her parents; a sister, Geraldine Marie Atkins; and two brothers, George Joseph Atkins and Thomas Lee Atkins. She is survived by eight children: Mary Clare Ammond, Oregon; John Ammond, West Branch; Joseph Ammond, Troy; Ann Ammond Lafond, and son-in-law John LaFond, Plymouth; Rose Ammond, West Branch; Patricia Ammond Weiler and son-in-law Greg Weiler, Manassas, Virginia; Bridget Ammond Frey and son-in-law Rick Frey, Kendallville, Indiana; and James Ammond, West Branch. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Joseph Ammond, St. Charles, Missouri (Michele); John Ammond, Traverse City (Elizabeth); Joy Ammond Brooks, West Branch (Brent); Christopher Lafond, Plymouth; Jedediah Frey, Peoria, Illinois; Justin Weiler, Richmond, Virginia; Appolinia Frey, Kendallville, Indiana; Patrick Weiler, Manassas, Virginia; Michael Lafond, Plymouth; Caleb Frey, Kendallville, Indiana; and Michelle Weiler, Manassas,Virginia. Mrs. Ammond’s four great grandchildren are: Kayleigh Ammond and Laurel Ammond, St. Charles, Missouri; and Gabriella Ammond and Chloe Ammond, Traverse City. She is also survived by a sister in law, Marylin Atkins, Detroit; two nieces, Elizabeth Atkins, Detroit, and Catherine Greenspan, Chattanooga, Tennessee; and a great nephew, Alexander Bowman, Detroit. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 from 6-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 from 12-9 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 8:30 p.m at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home, 109 E. Houghton, in West Branch. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Branch. Fr. Robert Bissot will officiate with burial following at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Branch.