Mark Delaney

He completed his public-school education in 1962 through the Lima Public School system and then began college at Ohio Northern University, graduating in 1966, majoring in social work and psychology.

Throughout his career he was employed in the social work profession. Following graduation from ONU, he began employment at the Franklin County Children’s Services in Columbus, Ohio. Despite living in Columbus, he did not become a fan of Ohio State football and chose not to pursue his graduate education at that university. At the earliest opportunity, in 1971, he moved to Ann Arbor with plans to enroll in the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Initially, he took a position at the Washtenaw County Juvenile Court and soon began his studies at the School of Social Work, He graduated with his MSW in 1974 and continued employment at the Court until 1978. Early that year he was offered a position at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry which he eagerly accepted, since forensic mental health practice had been his professional interest for several years.

Mark remained at the Forensic Center for 24 years and accomplished a number of objectives. He performed outpatient evaluations and testified in courts of law as an expert witness, participated in the treatment of inpatients, created and coordinated a number of programs on the Center’s inpatient service, and served as Director of the Department of Social Work for 14 years. He also became active in the National Organization of Forensic Social Work and filled a term as President of that body.

Mark left the Center in 2002 and took a position in the University of Michigan Hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Services, which allowed him to devote himself exclusively to the practice of psychiatric social work. He further honed his clinical skills, gained more experience in navigating mental health systems, and facilitated treatment for patients in crisis.

Mark finally ended his professional employment in 2017 but continued to devote much time to assisting individuals living with mental illness and their families, primarily through his involvement with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). He remained active in that organization until 2025.

In the mid-eighties Mark met Kay Koch and within a short time, came to the realization that he and Kay were destined for each other. In 1986 they married and this union brought him into a ready-made family containing three daughters and a son. They were all young adults and over the years they all married and these unions produced additional offspring. This sizable family now includes five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Over the years, Mark enjoyed a number of recreational pursuits. He owned several sail boats and took many voyages on various waters, principally Lake Huron. He was an avid fly fisherman, and wetted a line in Michigan streams, other states, and Canada. He was a life member of Trout Unlimited and active in the Ann Arbor chapter. Thanks to the encouragement of his wife, he took up horseback riding and aside from local trail riding, they visited a number of other states for riding and camping adventures. In addition to membership in professional organizations, Mark was affiliated with a number of recreational and conservation organizations.

Visitation will be held at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 3410 Broad St, Dexter, Michigan 48130, on June 14, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel beginning at 2:00 pm.

Donations in Marks memory may be made to NAMI Washtenaw County, 1100 N Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, US, or at https://namiwc.org/donate/.