Mary Kehrl

Mary Katherine Kehrl passed away peacefully on July 15, 2021 at her home in Rancho Palos Verdes, one year short of her 100th birthday. Born on July 11, 1922, she was the daughter of John Thomas Maloney and Dora Mahon Maloney. Her brother James was two years her senior.

Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, Mary thrived growing up in downtown Detroit, where a highlight was playing softball on an empty lot as the only girl with her brother and his friends.

Mary’s natural empathy and compassion for others drew her to focus on  social work, earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree in the field at Wayne State University.  It was there that Mary met the love of her life, Howard Harmon Kehrl. They were later pleased to fund an endowed scholarship at Wayne to provide access to education for young people.

Mary and Howard were married in 1946. The young couple started their family life in the Detroit area where their children, three sons and a daughter were born. Mary was dedicated to raising her family with the values of a strong work ethic, the importance of education and close family ties. She was also of great support to her husband during his rise from a young engineer to Vice Chairman of General Motors.

1960 was a memorable year for the family. They moved to Boston for a year while Howard studied at the MIT Sloan School and the family discovered skiing in New Hampshire. Soon after returning to Michigan, Howard and Mary purchased a cabin near a ski area. Treasured family memories include skiing and boating activities at Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan, ski trips to Colorado and a month long road trip to the West Coast.

Upon Howard's retirement, the lure of skiing and the Rocky Mountains prompted a move to Aspen, Colorado. Mary and Howard greatly enjoyed the beautiful natural setting as well as frequent family visits. After several years in Aspen, including building a mountainside home, Mary and Howard relocated to the Palos Verdes Peninsula near their daughter Kathy and her family.

Gifted with athletic ability and a competitive spirit, Mary enjoyed sports and games throughout her life, becoming an excellent skier and bridge player, and landing a hole in one on the golf course. She was an avid reader, reading on her iPad and enjoying lively games of honeymoon bridge with her daughter Kathy into her 99th year. She was the family historian, writing several family memoirs as well as creating over 6o scrapbooks.

In 2013, Mary was devastated to lose Howard to colon cancer. They had been married for 67 years and were inseparable. Wrestling with her grief, she developed a strong faith which brought an increased peacefulness to her spirit. She lived a long and remarkable life centered around her marriage and love of family.  Mary’s warmth and intellect were enhanced by her hospitality, laughter and love for others reflected in her unforgettable smile.

Mary was loved and cherished by many people including  her children: Dr. John Kehrl (Dr. Claudia Cicala), Dr. Howard Kehrl (Pamela Moore), David Kehrl (Alida), and Kathy Blenko (David); grandchildren Dr. Tom Kehrl (Laura), Dr. Jason Kehrl, Brian Kehrl (Katie), Ryan Kehrl (Andrea), Dr. Laura Kehrl (Dr. Mike Holmes), Jenny Matthes (Dr. Christopher Matthes), Peter Blenko and Matthew Kehrl; and great grandchildren Naomi, Adam, Harper, Gardiner, Olympia, Tessa, Rowan, Graham, Ashlyn and Marielle.