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GLADSTONE - Lydia Helen MacKenzie, 101, of the Fairview Manor in Gladstone, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at the residence of her daughter Joyce in Gladstone surrounded by her loving family.
Lydia was born Jan. 10, 1910, in Powers, Mich., the daughter of Nathaniel and Marie (Brow) Seely. She was raised in Powers where she attended school. Lydia was united in marriage to Irvin MacKenzie on Dec. 21, 1929, in Escanaba. They made their home in Gladstone where they raised their seven daughters.
Lydia was an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone where she has been a member for over 50 years. She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star R.C. Hatheway 49, where she served as Past Worthy Matron.
She was a volunteer for the O.S.F. Auxiliary for several years. She also served as bingo chairman for over 30 years at the Gladstone Senior Center.
Lydia's hobbies included bowling, bingo, playing cards, crocheting and going to the casino. Lydia bowled with the Wood Peckers and Johnson's Printing until she was 95 years old. Lydia was instrumental in starting bingo for the Gladstone Senior Center where they started up a bingo game at the American Legion.
She worked bingo for over 30 years until she was 100 years old.
Survivors include: five daughters, Jean (James) Dubord of Escanaba, Lettie (Walter) Houghton of Gladstone, Joyce Meyer of Gladstone, Jackie (Steve) Brown of Nampa, Idaho, Lydia (Dan) Kelley of Wales, Wis.; son-in-law, Carl J. (Mary Ellen) Fassbender of Escanaba; sister-in-law, Carrie Marie Seely; 27 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, 60 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Lydia was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin, in 1971; two daughters, Betty Fassbender and Ann Schilz; two brothers, Nathaniel and George; two sisters, Genevieve and Elsie; three son-in-laws, Ken Meyer, Ralph Schilz and James "Barney" Bratonia; and four grandchildren.
Order of Eastern Star services conducted by the R.C. Hatheway 49 will be held on Friday, March 18, at 1:45 p.m. at the Memorial United Methodist Church.
Visitation will follow from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Memorial United Methodist Church. Funeral services celebrating the life of Lydia H. MacKenzie will follow at 5 p.m. with Rev. Elizabeth A. Hill officiating.
Luncheon will follow services in Smith Hall. Committal services will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Memorial United Methodist Church or to O.S.F. Hospice.
The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the MacKenzie family. Please visit www.skradski-boycefuneralhomes.com where you can express your sympathy to the MacKenzie family, or to leave a memory tribute about Lydia.
Published in the Daily Press (Escanaba, MI) on March 17, 2011
[Great-granddaughter of SGS # 2565 – Lydia Helen; Nathaniel; George N.; Samuel Conant (# 2565); Eleazer (# 924); (Ebenezer, Justus; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel; Robert]
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