Mary Jean Pratt

Born on October 1, 1926, Mary was raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, but lived most of her life in Ann Arbor. She served the community with excellent leadership skills, an independent spirit, drive, and dedication in several different careers.

Mary worked for the Parks and Recreation Department, specializing in creating activities for senior citizens. Through her vision and effort, a senior center was built, in what was once an old horse barn. Mary then represented Youth for Understanding, traveling throughout Michigan, to promote the life-changing experience of being an exchange student to high school students. She opened her own travel business, organizing trips for seniors, from quick day trips to plays, concerts, and museums; to week-long tours for fall colors, historic sites, and cities. In addition, she worked on behalf of burn victims at hospitals and, along with Detroit firefighters, presented burn prevention programs in elementary schools. She wrote a teaching video, “A Match is a Tool” to augment the teaching materials for the schools. The National Institute of Burn Medicine honored Mary for her decade of service working with community groups making MI a model state for burn prevention.

After her retirement, Mary created a plant ministry for the First United Methodist Church, gifting green plants from her garden weekly to church visitors. Throughout her varied careers, Mary’s goals were dedicated to giving back, making a difference in the lives of others, and creating change for the better. This passion for helping others is her legacy and serves as a role model for her family.

Mary is survived by her sister-in-law, Arleen (Charles) Fensch; children, Robert (Jan) Pratt; Donald (Kathy) Pratt; and Carolyn (Jackson Thatcher) Pratt and nine grandchildren: Julianne (Rob) Turner; Bobby (Angie) Pratt; Emily (Rodney) Balcom; Carrie (Greg) Johns; Rebecca Pratt; Elizabeth (Craig) Lamble; Jack (Jamie) Thatcher; Jordan (Jenny Savage) Pratt-Thatcher; and Joshua (Ruby Regan) Thatcher. She is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert H. Pratt, and granddaughter, Angela Mary Pratt Kircos.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 120 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the First United Methodist Church Music Fund.