Mary I. (Lawrence) Troxel

Mary I. (Lawrence) Troxel, 95, formerly of Battle Creek died Thursday, August 3, 2017 at American House Senior Living in Holland, Michigan.

Mary was born September 24, 1921 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of George and Emily (Hagle) Lawrence. She was a graduate of Spring Arbor Seminary and Junior College. Mary was united in marriage to Pearl L. Troxel for 54 years before he preceded in death on December 24, 1996. Surviving are their children, Jack M. (Marge) Troxel of Spring Lake, Brian L. (Kris) Troxel of Holland; Deborah D. (James) Borsum of Burr Ridge, IL, four grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Donald Lawrence of Battle Creek. In addition to her husband, Mary was also preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Roy, Alvin and Argyle Lawrence. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and wonderful friend.

Mary was an interior decorator for Troxel Construction Company for many years. She also served as a Red Cross Volunteer at the former Community Hospital.

She found fun in the simple things and loved to laugh. Mary had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed hosting people for dinner or a party. She was known for baking delicious pies, cookies and brownies that were always popular with family and guests. She was creatively gifted and loved home decorating, knitting, crochet, painting, and calligraphy. Music was a passion and she also enjoyed reading. Mary kept active throughout her life, snowmobiling and riding a motorcycle with Pearl. She loved to play tennis, swim, golf, bike and walk. She walked every day, without fail, until her health prevented it. She enjoyed shopping with her daughter, Debbie; and loved to visit construction job sites with her home builder husband and sons. For a time, Mary and Pearl enjoyed a cabin in Falmouth for relaxing and snowmobiling. Upon retirement, they travelled throughout the country together in their motor home, and in later years spent time at their winter home in Leesburg, Florida.

Services will be officiated by Pastor Chad Parmalee at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2017. Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m, the hour prior to services. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, MI 49423, Phone 616-396-2972; or to World Vision, (please reference memorial source code 310 037 79) P.O. Box 78481, Tacoma, WA 98481, Phone 888-511-6519,

Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.