Born: Dec. 22, 1923

Died: Sept. 20, 2012

Mary Liggett, 88, of Niles, passed away at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

Mary was born on Dec. 22, 1923, to the late Charles and Helen (Kozak) Birczak in Detroit.

After graduating from Niles High School, Mary wed Marvin M. Liggett at a ceremony in Niles on May 5, 1945.  Mary was a 4H leader as a young mother and her love for animals carried over to the rest of her life; she fed all wildlife that came to her porch, especially the birds. She was a quiet woman who loved spending time with her quilting club, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen Birczak; husband Marvin Liggett Sr.; son Marvin Liggett Jr.; and siblings Raymond Birczak, Fronana Birczak, Donalo Birczak, Stella Nemethy and Annie Vigansky.

She is survived by her children, Teresa (Joel) Barnes, Anita (William) Gaut, Marsha (Tom) Bonner and Douglas (Sydney) Liggett, all of Niles; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Steve Birczak, of Irons, Michigan.

A memorial service to honor Mary’s life will be held on 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel with a time of visitation one hour prior.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital located at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, located at 219 S. State St., Niles, MI 49120.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family or upload a photo of Mary may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services and Mission Hills.