Mary Morvith Sieg Wilkins, age 93, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away surrounded by family on May 6, 2025.
She was born on January 5, 1932, the daughter of Gustav A. and Susanna (Howard) Sieg and grew up in Glenshaw, PA. She earned a registered nurse degree from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA. Mary married Robert Wilkins, her high school sweetheart, on December 27, 1952. At the time of Robert’s death in July, 2018, they had been married 63 years.
She is survived by her four children: Patricia Wilkins, Thomas Wilkins, Christine (Gregory) Goodearl, and Roberta (Patrick) Dorgan; grandchildren: Michelle Henson (Michelle Wagner), Shannon Henson, Elisabeth (Christian) Anderson, Rebecca Goodearl, Hope Goodearl, David Wilkins (Emilie Samuelsen), and Erica (Mitchell Swanson) Dorgan; great-grandchildren: Cadence and Charlotte Anderson, and Isabella Kyrisch; and a special “family adopted” friend and daughter: Suzanne Kelly (Nelson). In addition to her husband, Robert, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Doris, Jane, Ann and Howard.
Mary worked as a registered nurse for over 40 years in hospitals in Pennsylvania and Michigan. She was a homemaker and full-time mother. She also worked as the office manager for an electronic security business which was co-founded with her husband, Bob. She was an active booster and volunteer with all her children' s activities in school, sports and band. She gave her grandchildren continual encouragement and attended every school band concert from 6th through 12th grades.
Mary was an avid theater fan. She and Bob ushered at the Fisher Theater in Detroit for over 25 years and saw all of the best musical and stage productions. Mary loved to play bridge and called her bi-weekly ladies group her “therapy and mental health support” group. She and Bob rarely missed a week playing bridge at the Chelsea Senior Center. She loved her flower gardens. Every spring brought a new opportunity to plant more perennials. She was an avid member of the Chelsea Garden Club. She was an accomplished seamstress sewing a variety of creations from children's clothes to prom and bridesmaid dresses. In her retirement she learned to quilt. She finished her sewing career by making walker bags and donating them to the Chelsea Hospital Inpatient Rehab Clinic and Silver Maples.
Mary was always ready for an adventure, whether it involved skiing, camping, fishing or canoeing. She and Bob fulfilled a dream when they traveled full time with their travel trailer for six years. They spent their first winter “on the road” by camping in Breckenridge, CO so they could ski every day. One summer was devoted to traveling to Alaska. They fulfilled their list of visiting all 50 states and added on six Canadian Provinces. Mary was an active member of Novi United Methodist Church for over 40 years. She and Bob moved to Dexter in 2002 and were active members of Dexter United Methodist Church. When the Dexter church disaffiliated, she transferred to Chelsea First United Methodist Church. The family is deeply appreciative of the devotion to Mary’s care given by Stephanie Johnson.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at the Chelsea First UMC, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. All are invited to enjoy a meal following the service. Rev. Joy Barrett will officiate. Memorials may be made to Chelsea First UMC, Faith in Action of Chelsea, or Arbor Hospice.
