Mary Olney, 88

Mary Elizabeth Olney died Sept. 6, 2009, in Orlando, Fla.

She was born Oct. 26, 1921, in Detroit, a daughter of Joseph W. and Katherine (Kennedy) Pattison.

Lt. William H. Olney, dressed in his officer’s Naval uniform, stepped off the elevator of the Aetna Building in Detroit and met the prettiest girl he had ever seen. They married in 1943. The war years were spent at air bases, where he was a pilot and flight instructor.

After the war, they moved to Leonidas, where they lived and raised their children. Together they owned and operated Galesburg Michigan Speedway and Hastings Raceway. Mary managed the business aspect of the speedways.

Mary is survived by her children, Dr. Mary (Doug) Anderson of Leonidas, and Lynda Olney (Dave) Robertson and Lucey Olney of Orlando; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her brother, Allen R. Pattison of Port Austin.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, William H. Olney Jr.; and her brother, Joseph Pattison.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Mendon Cemetery, with the Rev. Canon Meredith Hunt of St. John’s Episcopal Church officiating. Assistance was provided by the Eickhoff Funeral Home of Mendon.