Mary Anastasia Bruce

Mary Anastasia Bruce, age 91, of Bark River, passed away Monday morning, December 9, 2019 at UP Health System - Marquette. She was born on December 17, 1927 in Escanaba, the daughter of Henry and Florence (Laviolette) Gingrass. Mary grew up in Escanaba where she attended Escanaba High School. On June 14, 1950, the former Mary Gingrass married the love of her life, Lawrence Ronald Bruce, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Escanaba and he preceded her in death on November 30, 1976. Together, the couple shared 26 years of marriage. Mary was a hard-working homemaker, caring for her husband and children. After her husband’s death, she had the ambition to complete the home they were building and finished raising their five children as a single mother. Mary later was employed by many local restaurants as an excellent cook including the Log Cabin and the Dell’s Supper Club. She later worked as the school cook for the Bark River Harris School System. Mary loved being in the kitchen and cooking delicious meals – she was well known for her beans, pasties, and meat pies. Mary also had a love for antiques. For many years, she owned and operated an antique shop in her home in Bark River and would have visitors from all over the country visiting her shop. Mary enjoyed the little things in life. She always looked forward to planting her beautiful flowers and vegetables in the spring of the year. She also kept the birds, chipmunks, and deer well-fed as she enjoyed watching them. Mary loved everything the outdoors had to offer – especially fishing and searching/picking morel mushrooms. She had a huge heart and an ambitious work ethic. Mary loved her family deeply and will be so missed.

Mary Anastasia Bruce is survived by her children, Judy Hubert of Escanaba, Wendy (Jim) Conway of Sheboygan, WI, Patty (Bill) Younce of Englewood, CO, Tom (Patty) Bruce of Escanaba, and Tim (Coni) Bruce of Bark River; 8 grandchildren, Molly, Katie, John, Craig, Emily, Mark, Jake, and Noel; 10 great-grandchildren, Jack, Nora, Charlie, Henry, Evan, Elliot, Dylan, Landon, Braelyn, and Charlotte; 3 sisters, Jackie Potter of Ironwood, MI, Noreen Spieth of Bark River, and Dorothy Schram of Gladstone; brother and sister-in-law, George and Ginny Bruce of Battle Ground, WA; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Tom Hubert.

Private family visitation and funeral services will be held at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Burial will take place in the Bark River Cemetery. 

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