Mary Elizabeth Dittrich

Mary Elizabeth Dittrich passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Her current home was at the Hampton Manor Assisted Living located in Brighton, Michigan.
Mary was born on December 7, 1934, and raised in (at the time) the small town of Farmington Hills, Michigan. There, she and her four siblings enjoyed the beautiful countryside that surrounded their home and attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and School. Upon graduating high school at Our Lady of Mercy in 1952, she then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at Mercy College Detroit in 1956. Mary then became a devoted and loving wife, enjoying a life of involvement with her husband's auto dealership business and finding the joy of motherhood raising her son. She was blessed later in life with three beautiful granddaughters.
Mary loved to travel and take pictures! She often visited places like Florida and the southwest and took her siblings on a memorable Alaskan cruise. Favorite further destinations were to Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Italy - often with family and friends. She was a great explorer of the local Great Lakes on their family boat as well.
Mary appreciated nature and was a passionate gardener. She was a collector of wildlife art, an avid reader, and enjoyed all kinds of music - from rock to Irish folk songs. Mary loved to share these passions with her brothers and sisters - together attending concert events, arts & crafts shows, and trips abroad. There was always a treasured dog in Mary's life - a constant companion that was by her side throughout.
Mary's compassion was evident in her many local charities that she and her husband were involved with, often through the Dittrich Oldsmobile dealership. She was on the board of directors for the Mental Illness Resource Association (MIRA) and helped with many other charitable groups and events throughout her years. Mary's strong Catholic faith continued over her lifetime, eventually bringing her to St. Mary Our Lady of the Snows in Milford.
Mary was the beloved wife of the late Alvin Dittrich, daughter to the late Elizabeth and Joseph Schafer, sister to the late Robert (Maura) and William (Joann) Schafer. She is survived by her son, Thomas Dittrich, and three granddaughters, Sarah, Erika, and Sienna. Mary is also survived by her sister, Rita Oldfield (George), and her brother, Thomas Schafer. She also has many loving nieces and nephews who held Aunt Mary dear to their hearts.
A Visitation Service will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, and a Mass Service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Milford. Please see the information below for details.
For further in formation, please contact Lynch & Sons at 248-684-6645.