Mary I. (Wagar) MacNaughton

“Memories remind us that nothing last forever. Time is precious and should not be wasted. Enjoy life and remember, don’t count the days, make the days count.”

May your memories of Mary fill you with the warmth of the oven she used to sweeten the hearts of many.  Brownies, monster cookies or a joke; her quick wit, beautiful smile, and her ability to whip up anything in the kitchen rarely left anyone feeling empty.

Always eager to enhance her skills, Mary loved to read cooking magazines and clip recipes. She was able to share recipes and pass the passion onto her daughter Jodie (Dennis) Kautz; often with a care package of fresh baked goods for to be shared with grandkids Aiden, Finn, and Brady. Pasties and Rueban sandwiches often accompanied a strong dessert as Cory (Danielle) Furgeson and his buddies headed for their favorite hunting destinations. The time that she spent in the kitchen with her son Grant (Janie) Furgeson sometimes felt like a cooking show as they would discuss techniques and tease each other about cooking skills. Visits with Grandma usually included homemade lasagna and hot apple pie for grandchildren Grant and Wyatt. Nobody ever went hungry at deer or fish camp if Mary was involved.

A deep fondness for Northern Michigan was inspired by her parents, Clare Wagar, who was deceased when Mary was very young, and Gertrude (Lyons) and Cal Compton. Mary and her siblings, Gerry (Karen) and Chuck (Sharon), attended St. Francis Xavier School. Petoskey provided the perfect location to call home with her true love Don MacNaughton until his passing in 2014. The two of them cherished their time with friends at home and in Carson City. Together they would play cards, travel to Mexico for vacation or relish in quiet moments at home. During those quiet moments, Mary enjoyed reading a good book, in particular, Nicholas Sparks and Danielle Steele novels.

As her memory faded these last few years, those choosing to stay close to her experienced wonderful stories of her younger days and the opportunity to bake for her. She loved to reminisce about her brothers, Don, and her parents that had gone before her during walks by the Bear River with her dear friend Sue. Mary’s face would light up when little Ella and Moriah arrived to see her. The gratitude felt for the encouragement and dedication of these two friends cannot be expressed in words.

There will be a private gathering to celebrate Mary’s life later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to McLaren Hospice.