Mary Coedy Lyle, age 87, passed away peacefully at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI on June 15, 2023 – a week after her 65th wedding anniversary. She was born in Detroit on January 7, 1936 to Cecil “Cec” Coedy and Ruth Ale, and graduated from Dearborn Fordson High School in 1953. Mary completed her BA at Wayne State University, and while at Wayne met Jim Lyle, the love of her life. They were married June 7, 1958 and then pursued their advanced degrees at the University of Michigan and began building their family of “Three Little Maids”, to borrow from from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado”. The family first lived in Detroit, then settled in Southfield in 1968.
Mary was a teacher, beginning her career at Waterford schools, teaching full time as a working mother with a newborn at home, and nursing daughter Megan during her lunch breaks. She followed her parents’ footsteps by moving to the Dearborn School district in the early 1960s, and taught music there until her retirement after over 35 years. She then immediately began substitute teaching and continued until 2020, when it took a pandemic to get her to retire the second time!
Mary was a long-time performer and lover of musical theatre, beginning with the U of M Gilbert and Sullivan Society (UMGASS), and including many Detroit area community theatre groups. She didn’t think of herself as a leading lady, but played many leading roles. She also played piano and led singing for the Dearborn Rotary Club – taking over from her dad. Mary sang at Beverly Hills United Methodist Church and also played the piano alongside the music director for over 50 years.
During summers, Mary loved being up north at the cottage on Mullett Lake. She also enjoyed traveling and cruises. Mary taught CPR in the 1970s for the American Red Cross and enjoyed teaching her kids and grandkids to love the water. After being diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in 2010 and learning that the whole family had the genetic disorder, Mary became a major contributor to the Alpha-1 Foundation and she and the family participated in over 20 clinical research trials.
The legacy of her memory includes her beloved husband of 65 years James “Jim” Lyle and their three daughters Megan Lyle, Jean Lyle Lepard and Judy (John) Lyle Harnois; her sister Margaret (Pete) Haddix; and grandchildren Kevin Harnois, Clara Lepard, and Amy Harnois. Mary will be remembered for her independence, forward-thinking, and feistiness. She will be sorely missed, and despite her size 5 feet, she left very big shoes to fill!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alpha-1 Foundation (www.alpha1.org).
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