Mary Stefia Wadsten

April 24, 1931 - July 2, 2020

Mary S. (Smith) Wadsten, age 89 of Southfield, formerly of Charlotte, passed in peace on July 2, 2020. Mary is survived by her sister, Anne (Smith) Kent; sister-in-law, Carole (Wadsten) and Leo Link; many nieces and nephews: Glenn and Mary (Madry) Shook, Tom and Teresa (Kent) Gloden, Jeff and Kris (Kent) Hynes, Kevin and Cassandra Wadsten, Matt and Joyce (Redwood) Tellitocci, Scot and Sherri (Katz) Pirie, Kyle and Marcia Wadsten, Sandra (Wadsten) Johnson, Steve Wadsten, Nancy (Redwood) and Brian Salin, Gregory Watson and dear friend Carolyn Plsek. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Wadsten; her parents, Joseph and Mary (Vrbensky) Smith; sisters, Frances (Smith) Madry and Elsie Smith; brothers-in-law, Louis Madry, Gerald Kent, Ralph Wadsten and James Wadsten; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Redwood; nephews, John Kent and Larry Redwood; and niece Gayle (Redwood) Stanek. Mary graduated from Charlotte High School in 1948 and from Wayne State University in 1953, where she received her master’s degree in elementary and secondary education majoring in business administration. She completed 30 hours beyond her master’s degree studying at the University of Hawaii and Arizona State University. She held positions of business teacher, office and distributive education coordinator and business department head at Cody High School in Detroit, where she began her career and worked until she retired in 1986. She also taught part-time at Wayne State University, University of Detroit, Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College. She conducted numerous workshops for Professional Secretaries International at Schoolcraft College and the Detroit College of Business. Mary lived life to the fullest and was a classy and beautiful woman. She loved her family and friends, golf, dancing, bowling, skiing, baking and her career. She loved planting her flowerbeds that were always magnificent. She touched the lives of many community friends whom she met throughout her daily travels over the years and carried their favorite chocolates to gift as tokens of appreciation and affection for each of them. She helped many by being a great listener, friend, supporter, advocate, editor and advisor. She never slowed down or stopped. Her superb work ethic, intellect and kind heart were apparent in all aspects of her life. She was an amazing friend to anyone she met, always leaving her friends and relatives feeling special, understood, and encouraged. She showed great interest in her nieces and nephews from childhood to adulthood and served as a wonderful role model to them. Mary leaves behind many relatives and friends who will miss her, her spirit and her vibrancy. Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. A Funeral Mass with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at the church. Visitation will precede the Mass from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in the church hall. Visitors will be directed to observe all social distancing safety practices. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to either Beaumont Hospice (1975 Technology Dr. Suite J120, Troy, MI 48083) or Helping Hand Homecare Service (2360 Paris Dr., Troy, MI 48083). Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary on her Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.