Drusilla "Skip" Daniel

Drusilla “Skip” Daniel, 97, of Dearborn and Charlevoix, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Delores and Richard Brightwell in September 1928.

Skip was always known for her devotion to her family, and loyalty to her friends. Skip married the love of her life, Ray, in 1952 and had four wonderful children: Catherine, Rick, Elaine and Mary Jo. And to quote her, “She always wanted more.” When raising her family, Skip took pride in being a homemaker, housewife and mother. She was involved in St John Bosco Church in Redford, and the Mother’s Club at Detroit Catholic Central.

Once the children were independent, she began working with the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau as director of convention services. Then, after she and Ray retired, they made a move to Bellaire, where she fell in love with Northern Michigan. She often said that “Michigan was by far the most beautiful state”. However in 1997, her husband Ray passed away and she was alone and far from her family. So Skip moved back to her hometown in Dearborn.

This kept her in close contact with many friends from the old neighborhood, friends she kept in touch with from her grade school, and friends from work and church. She easily made new friends from Amherst Lane and Henry Ford Village. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for Skip to pick up the phone and call a friend or relative. Later in her life, the telephone was Skip’s connection to all the special people in her life.

Skip spent the last five years living in Charlevoix, returning “up north”. She loved to look out at the view of the lake, and watch the weather as it changed from season to season. She made new friends in Charlevoix too, in the township as well as from church. Although Skip stayed home more often, she always checked on the friends she made. Skip loved to share stories with everyone. Skip was proud of the life she made and shared with everyone who knew her.

Skip is survived by her children, Catherine Johnston, Richard (Denise) Daniel, Elaine (David) Afton, and Mary Jo (Terry) McCabe. Her six grandchildren are Evelyn Martin, Patrick Johnston, Adrienne Convery, Eric, Virginia and Daniel Afton, two step-grandchildren, Shalynn McCabe, and Joselle Decker, and one great-grandson, Max Convery.

On Monday, February 2, 2026, St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Charlevoix will have viewing and visitation from 1:00 to 1:45, with a Rosary beginning at 1:40 pm. The Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations could be sent to St. Mary’s Church in Charlevoix.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com