Mary Alice Franklin

Mary Alice (Donigan) Franklin, of Cadillac, passed away peacefully at her home on December 10, 2023 surrounded by family. She was 82. Mary Alice was born on January 19, 1941 in Cadillac to John and Mary (Barber) Donigan. She spent a portion of her childhood in Pontiac before moving back to Cadillac where she attended school and met her husband George “Polly” Franklin. They were married on January 17, 1958 and started their young family together. She is loved and missed by her two children, Alan (Jenn Stafford) Franklin and Marion (Jack Sr.) Speaks, her seven grandchildren, Matthew Franklin, Stephanie (Abraham) Barrera, Bridget Franklin, Jack (Robyn) Speaks II, Jennifer (Juan) Perez, Jillian (Gary II) Brewer, Angela (Tomas) Tenorio, and her nine great-grandchildren, Skylar Franklin, Rolando Basurto, Gary Brewer III, Ruby Tenorio-Franklin, Alejandra Perez-Franklin, Gavin Brewer, Nayeli Perez-Franklin, Sofia Tenorio, and Luca Rodriguez, her dog Boggs, and countless friends and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Matthew Franklin, brother Bill Powell, and her sister Dorothy Swinehart. Mary Alice and Polly enjoyed hosting large family reunions and garage parties for almost any reason, or no reason at all. Everyone was welcome. Family, neighbors, friends, and even strangers who often became like family attended, and brought their guitars and other instruments. She was a natural musician and played the organ, accordion, and almost anything else she picked up. She was rarely seen without a camcorder on her shoulder, and found great joy in recording and editing home videos, complete with bloopers, to share with others. She also loved taking spontaneous trips across the straits of Mackinac, camping, picking cherries and huckleberries, baking cinnamon rolls, processing firewood, playing (and cheating at) Yahtzee and cribbage, going to rummage sales, spoiling her pets, and being a great grandma. Mary Alice had a great love for animals, which meant that her many dogs and one cat over the years were generously fed and truly a part of her family. She enjoyed feeding and watching outdoor wildlife, and considered them “her critters” as well. She worked at Mitchell-Bentley, Lakeshore Linen, Fiamm, and most recently Meyer Vet Clinic, where she was fulfilled by interacting with the animals, and especially loved nurturing the post-surgery patients as they recovered. Mary Alice’s wishes are to be cremated and laid to rest alongside George “Polly” Franklin at the Haring Township Cemetery in Cadillac. No services will be held at this time at her request, and a private burial ceremony will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wexford County Humane Society. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Mary Alice Franklin

January 19, 1941 - December 10, 2023