Obituaries

Mary Celine Madigan-Armstrong, age 86, of Carp Lake, Michigan, died at her home on May 12, 2025. She was born on May 8, 1939, in Highland Park, Michigan, to Lawrence and Mary (McLean) Madigan.

Mary grew up in Carp Lake and attended the Carp Lake one-room schoolhouse before graduating from South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She later moved to California and began working at the local newspaper where her warm smile caught the attention of David Armstrong. They married on December 24, 1974, beginning a life of deep companionship and shared purpose. Mary continued her career in payroll; she joined Walt Disney Corp in 1978 as executive payroll manager for fifteen years. In 1993, she returned to Michigan, where she lovingly cared for her mother for many years. Mary followed in her mother’s footsteps and worked in her retirement years at several gift shops in Mackinaw City before retiring in 2014.

Mary’s life was rooted in her community and driven by compassion. She was a proud member of the Women’s Club of Mackinaw City. Inspired by an article she read, Mary and her friends started “Crazy Quilts”, a project that created sleeping bags for the homeless, reaching over 500 people. She was a volunteer at Heritage Village, a member of the Cheboygan Photo Club, a devoted blood drive volunteer, and she volunteered for many years with the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce. She also served as a hostess for the annual Big Mac Scenic Shoreline Bike Tour - always welcoming others with warmth and enthusiasm.

Her passions were as rich and varied as her community work. Mary loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had a deep love for nature and photography, often walking in the woods with her camera. She enjoyed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and was known for her homemade cooking - preferring her own meals over any restaurant. A gifted needleworker, she made countless baby blankets and proudly displayed her photos at the Cheboygan Fair. One of Mary’s award-winning photos was displayed for a year at the Cheboygan Public Library.

She was a proud grandmother to Joseph (Kacie) Fugitt, Megan (Matt) Cross, Katherine (Alec) Cahaney, Jessica Chamberlain, Roxanne Dockery, Gabriel (Kati) Chevrier, and Chelsea (Pat) Harvey; and cherished great-grandmother to Hannah, Brayden, Cora, Clara, Theodore, Emma, Maddison, Sunny, Amelia, Elden, Hutchinson, Madigan, and Durrant.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband, David Armstrong; son, Joseph (Kim) Fugitt of Oxford, Michigan; daughters, Deborah (Dan) Dockery of Corona, California, Sherri Miller (Grant Marlow) of Onekama, Michigan, and Lisa Miller of London, England; sister, Nora Earhart of Brighton, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Mary Madigan; and siblings, Kathleen Madigan, Laureen Madigan, Lawrence Madigan, Thomas Madigan, and James Madigan

Visitation will be held on June 14, 2025, at 10:30 AM with the Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 AM at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 600 W. Central Ave. Mackinaw City, MI 49701.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions to be made to St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, 600 W. Central Ave. Mackinaw City, MI 49701, or to the Mackinaw Historical Society and Heritage Village, 1425 West Central Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI, 49701 (www.mackinawhistory.org).

Mary’s legacy is one of kindness, creativity, and quiet determination. She touched many lives and leaves behind a lasting impact through the love she gave, the service she rendered, and the memories she created.

She will be dearly missed.