Obituary of Mary J Shields

Age 90, passed away September 14th at Lapeer County Medical Care Facility. Visitations will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, September 17th at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services, 1194 E. Mt. Morris Road, Mt. Morris, with the funeral service at 11:00am. Reverend Rob Nordin officiating. Burial will follow at Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. Mary was born February 6, 1921, in Bay City, Michigan, to Myron and Vernie (Snyder) Ralston. She was the third oldest of 13 children who grew up in Texas and Indiana. On October 22, 1939, she married Kenneth Howell Shields, Sr. in Spencer, Indiana. During World War II, she worked at AC Spark Plug. She retired from Fisher Body in 1976 where she was elected as Recording Secretary when UAW Locals 1292 & 581 were amalgamated. She was a crusader and pioneer for women's rights in the workplace. Mary was a strong, proud, spirited woman and a 27 year breast cancer survivor. Mary is survived by her three children, Kenneth H. (Kathy) Shields, Jr. of East Tawas, James (Sandra) Shields of Fletcher, North Carolina, and Jeannie Winter of Davison and Naples, Florida; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Shields, Tiffany (Steven) Flynn, and Shawn (Sean) Lawrie; her great-children, Danielle Morgan, Justin Shields, Blake Shields, Keith Shields, Jordan Lawrie and Aliyah Lawrie; great-great grandson, Isaac Shields; her brother, John (Dorcas) Ralston; sister, Dorothy McCallister; sisters-in-law, Lavonne Ralston, Edith Ralston, Irene Ralston and Elizabeth Shields; and special friend, Barb Scott. She was preceded in death by her husband; grandsons, Kenneth Shields and David Lee Shields; her great-granddaughter, Chelsea Shields; her brothers, Hugh, Dick, Bob, Wayne and special brother, Mike Ralston; sisters, Joyce, Ida, Esther, Clara and Doris; and son-in-law, Gary Winter. The family wishes to extend their heart felt thanks to the staff of Avalon Hospice, Lapeer County Medical Care Facility and Sterling House of Davison.