Virginia Mackey

Virginia Mackey, lifetime Cadillac resident and community stalwart passed away peacefully November 14, 2024. She was 86. “Gin” was well known for her years of involvement in the community. On the board of trustees for what was then Mercy Hospital and her work for nearly 40 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections, where she retired as probation and parole agent. She carried on the work of her father, Harvey Pell, keeping a watchful eye on his multi-million dollar gift to the hospital. She was active in St. Ann’s Parish for many years, serving on the parish council and as a eucharistic minister and singing in the choir with her daughter-in-law Debby. Born February 10, 1938, Gin graduated from Cadillac High School. She met her forever love, Robert Mackey on a blind date and they were married in 1958, a union that lasted nearly 50 years until his death in 2008. While working full time and raising her two children, she graduated from Kirtland Community College and Spring Arbor College. She later acquired her second Bachelor’s Degree from Aquinas College, where both her daughter Helen and granddaughter Kate also graduated. She found pleasure working with students, serving as a Girl Scout leader and later as a reading tutor for the Wexford Missaukee Career Tech Center. She was very involved in local 4-H. Despite her lack of equestrian experience, she headed a 4-H horse club, organizing clinics so the 4-Hers could bring their horses for farrier services and vaccines. Her life was filled with community work. In addition to her hospital work, she hosted German exchange students, was a Mercy Associate in support of the Sisters of Mercy, and served on the Cadillac Wexford Public Library Board of Directors. There were even times when, while volunteering for her credit union, that she’d take her young children to the office to help stuff envelopes. She served on the loan committee for years. Always there with a quick laugh and a sharp retort, Gin loved to sing and could dance a polka, fox trot, schottische or anything else Bob wanted. Gin was always ready to give folks a second chance, but clearly did not suffer fools. Her grandchildren knew her as the fun grandma. One grand-niece recalls her Aunt Gin teaching her how to snap a towel. And she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, helping her husband build two houses and renovate several others She was an avid collector of salt dips and salt spoons, and she loved to garden and care for her wide array of pets that ran the gamut from horses to cats, dogs and the occasional duck. Her loving favorite, Bob the Beagle, has a new home with her son David and patient daughter-in- law Debby. Gin’s love for her family meant that they got to go with her as she traveled, taking trips with their motor home and flying to Maui for her annual two-week visit. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her three sisters – Patty, Nancy and Mary – all while they were still in their 50s, and her faithful parents, Helen and Harvey Pell. She is survived by her children, Helen (James) Lehman and David (Debby Brinkman) Mackey; four grandchildren, Kathryn (David) Dobrzelewski, Dominic Lehman, Ben Mackey (fiancé Casey Fitzgerald) and Molly (Adam) Nelson; four great grandchildren, Harvey and Theo Dobrzelewski and Noah and Grace Nelson, her brother-in-law Dick Mackey, Bob’s twin sister Bonnie Meyer, many treasured nieces and nephews and her devoted friend Cindy Rose. Credit for the obituary goes to her longtime friend and AP journalist Lolita C. Baldor. Visitation will be at Peterson Funeral and Cremation Services Thursday, Nov 21st, 5-7 p.m. and at the church beginning at noon Friday. The funeral service will be at St. Ann Catholic Church Friday, Nov. 22nd, at 1 p.m. with Fr. Michael Janowski officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Cadillac Wexford Public Library, to help furnish the teen center. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Virginia Mackey

February 10, 1938 - November 14, 2024