"The message below was written by Riberta S. fleischmann to the Towner Family, not by Joyce Johnson. Her note was posted earlier today."
In loving memory of
Mary Bergmann Towner
May 5, 1931 - May 1, 2022
Towner, Mrs.
Mary Bergmann
North Muskegon
Mary Bergmann Towner passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1st, at the age of 90. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on May 5th, 1931, to Paul and Beatrice (Johnson) Bergmann. She married Dallas Towner at her parent's home in April of 1952, and they enjoyed 51 years of marriage. Mary grew up in North Muskegon, Michigan, was a graduate of Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and attended the University of Michigan. She was a lifelong member of Muskegon Country Club, where she enjoyed golfing with friends and dinners with her family. She was an active member of the communities at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Service League, and the White Lake Yacht Club, where she forged friendships and made lasting memories. She and her late husband Dallas spent many years sailing the world together, from Lake Michigan to the Caribbean Sea. Mary was a skilled needlepointer and passed her love of stitching on to many friends and family members. She was an ace card player who could rarely be beat and a gifted pianist. Her grandchildren still sing the tunes she wrote, including "Islands in the Sun." Mary lived a wonderfully full life and will be remembered for her sunny optimism, competitive spirit, quick wit, and unrelenting kindness.
SURVIVORS
She is survived by her three children; Nancy (Joseph) Lucas of Mequon, WI, Paul Jeffrey (Julie) Towner of East Grand Rapids, MI and David Tillotson Towner of South Lyon, MI; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, and brother Paul Bergmann. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Dallas, sisters-in-law Nancy Towner Hanson, Ruth Towner Hovey, Joan Fuller Bergann, and her beloved companion, Dr. Harold Bowman.
SERVICE
Saturday, May 21, 2022, 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Rev. Eileen Stoffan officiating. VISITATION One hour prior to the service at the church. MEMORIAL:n lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or the Noah Project, a no-kill animal shelter. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.
Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon
Tributes
"To the Towner Family, Please accept my deepest sympathy at this sad time. Mary was such a bright light and I always looked forward to seeing her but I knew I could always depend on Thursdays at the beauty shop. We shared Maggie for a couple of years until Maggie decided she was going to work less so I lost her. May your grief be comforted by all the fond memories you share and by the welcoming arms of family and friends. It is a tough time for everyone. I will hold Mary?s memory close. Know that you all be be in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Roberta S. Fleischmann"
"Dear Jeff, Nancy, David and families, We were shocked and saddened to hear of our good friend Mary?s passing. We will be unable to attend her Memorial service but would like you all to know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Joyce, Ken and Bradley Johnson"
"We will remember Mary with great fondness. We knew her for 40 years, as the mother of Nancy. We first met her and Dallas at Nancy?s wedding to Joe. I?ll never forget the time we ran into Mary in the harbor of Harbor Springs. We heard her voice as we walked the docks?and there she and Dallas were? aboard their boat. It was unusual as we were vacationing from our home in Chicago. Great fun and a great memory. Over the years, Mary shared her joys and family values. We always enjoyed being with her, especially at the family events where her radiant smile made you feel so welcomed. May her goodness live on in her children and her children?s children and those who follow. God bless Mary. Liz and Tom Sublewski Family"
" Mary had a way about her. Her way was to be happy and it was as simple and as complicated as that. I loved being around Mary because no matter what was happening she would say, "Oh well, it will be alright." I believed her. I watched her employ that philosophy every day and it was contagious. Mary enjoyed life. Sailing adventures, long drives across the country with kids in the back seat, improving herself with piano camp at an advanced age, facing the drive to Hal's for dinner no matter sleet nor snow. She was fearless. Mary was a beautiful lady, inside and out. Never pretentious, everyone felt comfortable in her presence. Don't get me started on those adorable dogs. Hal used to say Mary was at the head of the line when God gave out love of dogs. I will carry Mary in my heart beause she knew how to be happy. "Oh well, it will be alright." Thank-you so much Mary. You were right. You made it so. Joanne Bruun "