Mary Lou Kaley

Mary Lou Kaley, 97, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at French Manor Terra on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Mary Lou was born on October 17, 1928, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Roy and Katherine (Fifarek) Dobson. After her mother passed away when she was eight years old, Mary Lou was raised by her aunt and uncle, Frank and Flora Rosell, also of Traverse City.

Mary Lou was a proud member of Traverse City Senior High School’s class of 1947. She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Roy “Red” Kaley on May 20, 1950, and together they shared 61 years of marriage before his passing in 2011.

She spent many happy years working as the secretary to the various principals at Glenn Loomis School. She would often tell how many “former students” would find her out in stores and around town years later and they’d call out to her “Hi, Mrs. Kaley!” Mary Lou and Red enjoyed traveling the United States in their RV and a Caribbean cruise was a highlight for her. She spent many hours canning and freezing the produce from Red’s bountiful garden every year.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Ray Dobson, her sister, Helen Trnka, her husband, Red, and son, David. Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Sandra Kilmer, son-in-law, Ned Kilmer, and six grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and her family will remember her privately. Burial will take place in the spring at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to express a special Thank You to the staff at French Manor Terra for their love and devoted care of Mary Lou and also to Hospice of Michigan for the kindness and compassion they shared with Mom/“Granny” and her family during her stay at French Manor Terra.

Please sign the Guestbook and leave messages of condolences or share memories with Mary Lou’s family at www.lifestorytc.com.