Maryann Elaine Cartwright

Maryann Elaine Cartwright, age 80, of Caro, passed away peacefully at her home on October 18, 2024. She was born on August 12, 1944, in Bay City, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Cordelia (Trudell) Culbert. A proud graduate of Akron-Fairgrove High School's Class of 1962, Maryann continued her education, earning her LPN from Mercy School of Nursing in Cadillac in 1963. It was during the summer of 1962 that she met Dennis Cartwright. The two fell in love and were married on August 1, 1964, at Sacred Heart Church in Caro. Their nearly fifty-year marriage was filled with love, four children, and countless cherished memories. Dennis passed away on March 8, 2014.
Maryann began her nursing career in Flint, and after starting her family, she worked at the State Hospital in Caro, the Tuscola County Medical Care Community, and MacAbee Gardens. She eventually retired from Lutheran Nursing Home in Frankenmuth after twenty years of dedicated service. While raising her children, she also worked as a paraprofessional at Akron-Fairgrove Schools. A devoted mother and grandmother, Maryann was known for her unwavering support at her children's and grandchildren's sporting events, always there to cheer them on. She was a wonderful baker, and her kitchen was filled with the delicious smells of cakes, pies, bread, cinnamon rolls; and cookies-she made sure to never let the cookie canister go empty. Maryann enjoyed flowers, tending to her vegetable garden, and canning. She loved reading, traveling, and adored her beloved dog, Sadie. Her love, compassion, and dedication will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Maryann leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Kenneth & Patricia Cartwright, Carrie Cartwright, Matthew & Ronda Cartwright, and Jennifer & Bryan Peckham; grandchildren, Gavin Cartwright-Padilla, Jared Cartwright, Theresa Cartwright, Hannah Peckham, Efuet Zenan C. Ekem, Erin Peckham (fiancé, Tim Blankenship), Kaden M. Ekem; great-grandchildren, Jackson Cartwright, Morrison Cartwright, and Leila A. Padilla; brother, Mike (Barb) Culbert; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Staschke, Julie Cartwright, and Marlene Cartwright; brother-in-law, Jim Kraatz; many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Maryann was preceded in death by her brother, Mark (Dolores) Culbert; mother-and father-in-law, Clara and William Cartwright; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mar Staschke, Joan (Dick) Taylor, Margaret (Burt) Gross, Marian Kraatz, Elizabeth (Norm) Nickel, Sally (Jim) Tolfree, Billy Cartwright, Norma Cartwright, Diane (Theron) Middaugh, and Danny Cartwright.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Caro. Fr. Isaac Madanu will officiate with the burial following at Brookside Cemetery in Fairgrove. The family will be present to receive visitors on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Cass River Pet Friendz or St. Christopher Parish or a charity of the donor's choice.