Mary Gray Dalton

Mary was born on May 5, 1938 on the Dutch Island of Aruba to the late Collins Henry Luth and Edith Nugent Luth. Her family left the island when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands during World War II, and after her father enlisted in the Navy, she spent the war years in boarding school with her older sister.

In the 1950’s, as a high school student, Mary lived in Paris with her aunt and uncle, an extraordinary experience that shaped her life in many ways and led to a lifelong love of travel. She returned to the United States to complete high school and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1960. She moved to Chicago, where she worked in various art galleries and met her husband, William Joseph Dalton. They married in 1967 and had three children. Their marriage lasted more than 50 years until Bill’s passing in 2021.

In the late 1970’s Bill’s career took the family from Chicago to Seattle, WA where they enjoyed exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They returned to the Chicago area in late 1982 where Bill and Mary lived until retiring to St. Simons Island, GA in 2000.

Mary was a beloved and admired wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was an avid reader and bridge player and enjoyed the symphony and Jeopardy! She is survived by her children: Anne Dalton Ruh (spouse Mark); William Andrew Dalton (spouse Kathy); and Lesley Gray Dalton. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren Erin Ruh, Caitlin Ruh, Lindsay Ruh and Jack Dalton.

Memorial celebrations will be held in Dowagiac, MI at a later date.