Obituary of Mary Frances Michalec

Mary Frances (Wilber) Michalec passed away on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024.

Predeceased by her parents, Clarence Leo Wilber and Dora May (Williams) Wilber. She is survived by her many nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Mary was born in Penn Yan on October 25th, 1937 and graduated from Penn Yan Academy and SUNY Cortland. She completed her Master's degree at SUNY Brockport and began her teaching career at Newcomb, in the Adirondacks. Returning to Rochester, she taught at East High School and later started teaching Health and Physical Education at Monroe Community College, where she launched the women's athletics program. She coached basketball and field hockey; she brought out the best in her players, who knew her as "M," preparing them for success in their lives as well as on the field. Mary kept in touch with many of them throughout the years.

But Mary's heart was ever at home in the Finger Lakes. On retirement, she moved to Yates County, where she started and managed the Sugar Shack Blueberry Farm with her business partner Mary Pat Pennell. Later she was actively involved in repair and construction work on the Cobblestone Springs Retreat Center near Dundee.

At Mary's request, no services will be held. Comments and memories of Mary may be shared at townsendwoodzinger.com. Donations in her memory may be directed to the Yates County Humane Society, PO Box 12, Penn Yan, NY 14527.