Mary Bailey-Hengesh

On July 30th Mary Bailey-Hengesh completed her baptismal journey here on earth after a 21 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Her husband, Don, was by her side.

Mary was born to Ruth and Gerald Schleicher on January 10th, 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  At about the age of 4, her father was transferred to Escanaba, Michigan. Mary was active in many church and school actives, head majorette, and played the oboe in the orchestra. She graduated in 1964 and headed off to Michigan State University.  There she received a BA in Elementary Education.

Mary taught Kindergarten in Waterford, MI where she met and married Charles Bailey. After a short marriage, they divorced. Mary moved to Milwaukee and taught Kindergarten in the West Alice School District. While there, she got her Master’s Degree in Exceptional Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  She then coordinated the Gifted and Talented Program for the school district.

In November 1982 fate entered in and she reconnected with Don Hengesh, an old high school boyfriend.  After a short courtship, they were married June 25th, 1983 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Mary worked for the Michigan Department of Education, Gifted and Talented division. There she coordinated many programs for schools through the Intermediate School Districts. She was especially proud of her implementation of the dual enrollment program.

She is survived by her husband Don, brother, Bob Schleicher, children Debbie (Roger) Pline, David (Lori) Hengesh and grandchildren Tyce, Alec, Daniel, and Lauren.

The family thanks Dr. Riddle and Mindy, Beth, and Nancy at the Charlevoix Hospital Infusion Center; Dr. Paul Blanchard; as well as the hospice nurses and caregiver Kellie for their compassionate care.

The family would also like to thank the many friends who have shown their love and prayers for her. Their calls, text, emails, cards, and meals were greatly appreciated. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. A special thanks to the Charlevoix Area Garden Club and those members who weeded and tended her gardens.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 10th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, Charlevoix. A funeral mass will follow immediately after.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Education Foundation, Charlevoix or Hospice of Northwest Michigan, Charlevoix.

Dr. Seuss said, “Don’t cry because it is over: smile because it happened.”

Arrangements are being handled by the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.