Mary Louise Foley

Mary Louise Lanore Foley, Neely nee was born August 28, 1931, in Ypsilanti Michigan, the daughter of the late Howard Edward Neely Sr. and Martha Elizabeth Neely nee Starks of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mary Louise suffered from a recent fall and dementia, but departed this life peacefully, on Saturday May 20, 2023, in the care of her loving son Ethan Foley. Mary Louise was the second of four siblings. She graduated from Ypsilanti High School and soon after married Donald Keith Foley Sr. From that brief marriage, she was blessed with five loving sons. After divorcing, she pioneered working from home supporting her family as an accomplished seamstress. She was granted the Ypsilanti Jaycee Auxiliary Community Service Award as Outstanding Young Woman of the Year because of her extensive volunteer work. She was active in the Girl Scouts. She was appointed by the Ypsilanti Board of Education to the Citizen Advisory Committee on Racial Imbalance. She was a member of the NAACP. Active in the Methodist church, she was Secretary of the Board of Christian Social Concerns. She was a volunteer in political activities and canvassing. She became Ypsilanti's first Black meter maid and later was a member of the City Council. She even ran for Mayor.

Through all of this, she guided five sons through School with the assistance of church activities, to become productive members of the community as tradesmen, business owners and an African Methodist Episcopal Minister. Mary Louise is predeceased by her parents, her son Mark Kevin Foley, brothers, Howard Edward Neely Jr. and Willard Elton Neely Sr. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Lorraine Neely-McCurdy; sons Donald Keith Foley Jr., Nathan Kit Foley, Ethan Kent Foley Sr. (Lisa Barfield), Anthony Karl Foley Sr. (Jacqueline Barbour), Mark's former wife, Elaine Doreen (Foley) Taylor, twelve grandchildren, eight nephews, seven nieces, and many relatives and friends. Mary Louise will be missed by all for her love for family and her many contributions and achievements.

VISITATION

Friday
July 7, 2023
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
C & H Community Home for Funerals
411 S. Adams St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

FAMILY HOUR

Saturday
July 8, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Brown Chapel AME Church
1043 W. Michigan Avenue
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday
July 8, 2023
11:00 AM
Brown Chapel AME Church
1043 W. Michigan Avenue
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

CEMETERY

United Memorial Gardens
4800 Curtis Rd
Plymouth, MI 4817

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