Mary Amberg Kelley, 77, a LaPorte County area resident, passed away March 3,
2007 at 2:22 a.m. in her home.
She was born November 9, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Edward L. and
Isabelle (Budds) Karls.
She was married to Edward J. “Ted” Amberg, Jr., who preceded her in death,
then to O.J. Kelley who also preceded her in death.
She is survived by four daughters, Margaret “Maggi” (Tom) Spartz of LaPorte;
Janet (Dan) Hosna of Michigan City; Elizabeth “Betsy” Amberg Fleek of
Naperville, Ill., and Susan (Jeff) Amberg Pluto of Batavia, Ill.; a son,
Edward “Jay” (Christine) Amberg, III of LaPorte; a sister, Nancy Peecher of
Chicago; 11 grandchildren, T.C. and Carolyn Hosna, Emerson, Dylan, and Drew
Spartz, Natasha and Kareya Fleek, Nicole and Casey Amberg, Haley and Jenna
Pluto; her beloved dog, Genie; two nieces and one nephew.
Mary worked at the LaPorte County Visitor’s Bureau Information Desk, Newcomb
Printing, the News Dispatch, and Edward A. Jones.
She graduated from the American Academy of Art, Chicago, was an avid
crossword puzzle solver, and participated in many Indiana and Illinois art
shows for over 40 years. Some of Mary's artwork is shown at the LaPorte
Symphony Gallery in LaPorte, and at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in
Michigan City. She was editor of the Dunes Shore newspaper and president of
the Civic Association in Beverly Shores.
Mary served many years as historian, club librarian, and editor of the
Windjammer newsletter for the Michigan City Yacht Club. She was president of
the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra's 2006-2007 “Friends of the Symphony”
and a volunteer, past president of Beechwood 18-Hole Women's Golf League in
LaPorte and volunteered at the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County and the
Lubeznik Center for the Arts. In 1993, Mary achieved the elusive hole-in-one
in Michigan City. Believing that one is never too old to learn - at age 60,
she was a work study student at Purdue North Central for two years and was a
Certified Toastmaster. She was also a member of the Michigan City Yacht
Club, several bridge leagues, Independent Women's Bowling League at
Thunderbird Lanes in LaPorte, and Beechwood 18 hole women's golf league,
LaPorte.
A memorial service, Rev. Kevin Huber officiating, will be held at 11 a.m.
Friday, March 9, at St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church, Beverly Shores.
Entombment of ashes will follow in Greenwood Cemetery Mausoleum.
Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral
Chapel and 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.
Contributions may be made to Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, P.O. Box
527, Michigan City, IN 46361 to benefit the VNA, LaPorte County Symphony,
Lubeznik Arts Center and the Michiana Humane Society Endowment Funds. To
sign a guestbook and leave condolences online visit the Web site at
www.otthaverstock.com
Posted 3/7/2007
