Mary was born at Monroe Hospital in Monroe, Michigan, the firstborn of Belgian immigrants Rene C. Metdepenningen and Anna M. DeSutter. She graduated from St. Mary Academy in 1953 and married Lloyd W. Conner on October 16, 1954, at St. Anne Catholic Church, Detroit Beach, before the Reverend Daniel Complo. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2004.
Mary was a loving mother, living on in her children, L. William (Karen) Jr. of Monroe, Brian R. (Andrene) of Nipomo, CA, Margaret R. Park of Dearborn, and Colleen M. (Paul) Reilley of GA. Also, countless other dear friends and special companions, Barbara Gay and Chris Burkett. Loving (Metzen) to eight grandchildren: Lloyd W. Conner III, Elizabeth Conner, Blair Conner, Rebecca Conner, Christopher Conner, Kathryn Frost, Meghan Wright, and Clinton Wright. She leaves to cherish her memory a brother, A.J. (Sue) Metdepenningen; a sister, Diane (Joe) Fantozzi; five nephews, four Nieces, and many great-nieces and great-nephews; and G.G. Metzen, who left two great-grandchildren, Liam Reilley and Stella Marion Frost.
In addition to her parents, Rene and Anna Metdepenningen, Grandparents, Leo and Marie DeSutter, and Joseph and Victorine Metdepenningen, she was preceded in death by a brother, James F. Metdepenningen, sister-in-law, Mary Lind Metdepenningen and nieces, Anne and Brooke Metdepenningen.
Mary loved books, hats, and Paris, having made many trips there and to Belgium, the homeland of her parents.
Mary began her career at First National Bank right after graduation. She attended Marygrove College in Detroit and graduated with a Certification in Surgical Technology. She worked at Mercy Memorial Hospital until 1970. Mary then became an employee of the University of Michigan in the Surgical department until retirement in 1997. She was very active in her Professional Association, serving as National President 1984-1985 and traveling across the U.S. to certify Surgical Technology College and University school programs. She was also appointed to the American Medical Association Division of CAHEA, National Alliance of Health Professionals, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as a cooperative author.
In 2000, Mary became an IHM Associate and served on many IHM committees and served as a Sacristan in the Chapel there. Her faith was nourished there, and her last days on the IHM Campus were a wonderful reward.
In 2010, Mary was elected to the Monroe City Council and was subsequently elected to represent Monroe on the National League of Cities, Women in Municipal Government and served on the Energy and Environment Council and was involved in the First Earth Day Celebration in Monroe.
Mary was excited when she discovered a new and popular movement called the Red Hat Society. She formed the first Group in Monroe, “The Crimson Crowns.” She always enjoyed wearing hats and from that time on was known as “The Hat Lady.” When people saw her without her “Chapeau,” they had to ask, “Where is your hat?” The Crimson Crowns frequently took first prize in the Fair Parade.
Above all else, Mary had a passion for collecting everything and anything connected to the JFK years. She had a room in her home, called the Monroe Branch of the Kennedy Library, where she amassed over 700 books and much more memorabilia. She traveled to the Boston JFK Library and visited the Dallas assassination sites with her son, Brian, in 2014. She also felt blessed to travel with her granddaughter, Meghan, to Berlin, Germany, to see the Berlin Wall and the place where JFK made his famous “I am a Berliner” speech. That journey also included a visit to the Kennedy Memorial “Runnymeade” in London, England. She felt fortunate to have visited friends and relatives in Bosnia, Belgium, Paris, and Ireland with her daughter, Colleen.
She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, treasured friend, compassionate listener, wise counselor, humble mentor, co-worker, volunteer, prayer partner, and confidante. She always said, “she planned to wear out, not rust out,” the time she was given on Earth.
Mary always had a flower garden and enjoyed working in her yard when the time permitted. She lived by the mantra, “If you have a library and a garden, you have everything you need.”
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial Mass will be held on Oct. 7, 2026, at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel. Memorial Visitation will start at 9 am, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. She will later be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery and Roselawn Memorial Park.