Mary Alice Parcell

Mary Alice Parcell of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved mother, gramie, great-gramie, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Masonic Pathways in Alma. She was 93 years old. Mary Alice Ennis was born on March 7, 1929, in Mt. Morris, Michigan, to the late John Albert Kenneth and Clara Ida (Marme) Ennis. She married the love of her life, Donald J. Parcell, on October 26, 1946; he preceded her in death on May 6, 2018, after 72 years of marriage. She was employed at Saginaw County Community Mental Heath as Mental Health Technician, retiring after 17 years of loyal and dedicated service. The role of her lifetime was to be a loving wife, mother, and gramie. Mary was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Stars where she was elected Worthy Matron three times, a lifetime member of the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Stars, Past Queen of the Daughters of the Nile, Past President of several PTA’s in the Saginaw area, a Brownie and Girls Scout Leader for many years, and she also held various positions within other community organizations over the years. In June 1969, she was honored by the community by receiving the prestigious Saginaw Citizen of the Year Award. Throughout her life, Mary used creativity to connect with people. She loved crafts, was a gifted and talented seamstress, in her later years created beautifully designed walker caddies and clothing protectors. Mary was also a collector of fine vintage jewelry.  She decorated cakes like no other and created the most beautiful jewelry imaginable. She would selflessly sit by the side of those dying at the Masonic Home without family, because she didn’t want them to die alone. Mary left her indelible mark in this world though her joyful presence with her love for sparkle and shimmer, for her knowledge and guidance for being the foundation of her family, for treasuring and cherishing all people with kindness, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Her greatest joy was her family. Surviving are David Parcell of Detroit; Kenneth E. (Debbie) Parcell of Saginaw; Susan M. (Brian) Bidwell of Saginaw; Vicky (Barry) Kuznicki; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Kathy (Wayne) Bellinger of Clio, a brother, Donald (Marilyn) Ennis of Saginaw. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by a son, Bruce A. Parcell; a brother, Richard Ennis. 

A Funeral Service will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road. Pastor Todd Regester will officiate. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are welcome to visit at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at noon. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her Masonic Pathway family for all the love and care they provided to Mary and her family.