MARY E. ALVEY

Mary E. Alvey passed away on April 6, 2024, in her sleep at her home built by her husband Bob Alvey who proceeded her on May 7, 2023, of natural causes at the age of 90. Mary E. Coon married Robert (Bob) Alvey on Dec. 29, 1954, while attending Wayne State University. When Bob graduated from Wayne State and was commissioned in the Air Force, Mary joined him and they moved to Wichita, Kan. where their son Harry Robert was born in 1956. They traveled around the United States to various postings until 1961 when they moved to K.I. Sawyer AFB in the Upper Peninsula near Marquette. While there, they adopted their daughter Aura Lea at the age of 3 months (she was born on Dec. 4, 1964) and Bob started building a house for Mary’s father Harry R. Coon, DDS. In 1970, Bob left the Air Force and they moved to Hillman and took over ownership of the house as her father had passed away the year before and Bob had found a position with R. S. Scott & Associates in Alpena. To help ends meet Mary started working a Wayne Wire Cloth Products as a small parts welder. In 1971, they hosted their first exchange student through Youth for Understanding (YFU). Mary started volunteering the next year and accepted a paying position in 1976 with the organization. In May of 1993, Mary earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Wayne State University. Mary eventually became the District Manager managing the Midwest region which was renamed the Founders Region on her retirement in early 2010s. During this time, they hosted over 60 YFU students in their home.

She is survived by her son Harry (Helen), daughter Aura Lea (John), four grandchildren Michelle (Mike), Erik, Kristopher, and Dustin. Three great-grandchildren Ravyn, Ethan, and Evan.

An informal Memorial and Reception service for Mary will take place starting at 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, at their home on Lake Avalon.