Lois Virginia McHenry

Lois Virginia Rigan McHenry left us suddenly on August 21st, 2026 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, shortly after her 100th birthday on May 9th. Though her birth was traumatic, her life was saved by her maternal grandmother, Alice Mills Werner, and she never looked back. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Lt. Col. Donald G. McHenry J.D., her parents Katherine and Walter Rigan; and both her brothers, Jack and Phil Rigan.

She is survived by her children, Adele (Heinrich) McHenry-Koenen, Eileen McHenry, and primary caregiver James McHenry; her three grandchildren, Jonathan Koenen and his wife, Andrea, and son Alistair; Jessica Koenen (Lance) Heller; and Lachlan Koenen and his partner, Manimone Sengvoravong, not to mention numerous nieces and nephews.

Not to be forgotten is her best friend, Catherine "Seedie" Gorecki, her husband, Ziggy, and their children, Barbara (Bray), Julie (Greenwood), and Stanley (and Linda) Gorecki.

Lois wore a lot of hats in her life, including as a Michigan Bell operator and staff supervisor, cosmetologist, dude-ranch employee, plane spotter and several other jobs. She eventually landed her longest-lasting job as a legal secretary, chauffeur, notary public, chief cook, and bottle washer at the McHenry home- which was also a law office. She was a lifelong gardener who worked in the yard well into her 90’s. She was an avid movie watcher who knew the names and spouses of all the actors she saw on screen, a can-opener gourmet, a lover of pop music, especially Motown. She was also a voracious reader, loving Zane Grey. Because of Lois, all of her kids knew how to read before they started nursery school. While she said no to many of their requests over the years, she never held back when it came to providing them with books.

The Lois V. McHenry and Donald G. McHenry Trust has left a bequest in honor of the accomplishments of Gracie Johnson, the first African-American switchboard operator at Michigan Bell. Gracie’s memorial will appear at the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Preserve in Ann Arbor, MI. A native tree planted in our mother’s name would be a fine tribute to her, a lifelong gardener. You can plant a tree in Lois’ honor by visiting shop.alivingtribute.org/products/plant-a-tree-michigan.