Mary Lu O'Riordan

Mary Lu passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023 while vacationing at her beloved Big Basswood Lake in Ontario with her family by her side at the age of 85. She was born in Bay City, Michigan on July 5, 1938 to the late William and Kathryn (Major) Clay. She was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church. Mary Lu was an educator for Bay City Public Schools for most of her career before retiring. She was musically gifted, an elegant water skier, hunter, bowler, golfer, snowmobiler, synchronized swimmer and quilter. GGO/Gram loved going on neighborhood adventures with her great grandkids in her infamous golfcart.

Mary Lu is survived by her three daughters, Deb (Rob) Keit, Diane (Bob) Hurley and Kelly (Tom) Cleary; eight grandchildren, Shannon (Greg) Roderick, Megan (Jeremy) Coonan, Adam (Catherine) Hurley, Patrick (Cheryl) Hurley, Kathryn (Nick) Bruining, Sarah (Colton) Strawn, Brianne (Augustine) Aguilar and Alex (Samantha) Cleary; seventeen great grandchildren, Brody, Madeline, Gage, Beau, Noah, Lydia, Violet, Max, Harper, Henry, James, Lacey, William, Owen, Lulu, Georgia and Lane (arriving in October). In addition to her parents, Mary Lu is preceded in death by her husband, Richard O’Riordan; brother, Bill Clay and several in-laws.

A Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Grace Church-West Campus. Officiating will be Pastor Eric Kieb with private burial at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Gephart Funeral Home and on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Grace Church-West Campus from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In “Lu” of flowers, contributions may be considered to Grace Church in Mary Lu’s memory.