Jeanne E. Cary

Jeanne Ellen Cary, age 87, of Central Lake passed away peacefully at Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility on October 26, 2026.

Jeanne was born in Bellaire, Michigan, on November 18, 1938, the daughter Charles and Siree (Mattson) Friend.

Jeanne married Ward A. Cary, of Central Lake, on April 17, 1962, at the Central Lake Congregational Church parsonage. They were married for 48 years.

Ward and Jeanne did everything together, and after their children were raised, they enjoyed going to Florida in the winter to spend time with Bill and family.

Jeanne loved going for car rides with Ward. Quite often, they didn’t have a destination in mind, but you could usually find them at the movie theatre or out to dinner together.

Jeanne was a hard worker, and with her husband, Ward, they purchased a gas station in Central Lake in November of 1981 which became Cary's Self-Serve and Convenience Store. They ran the business for 25 years, selling in 2006.

Jeanne’s true calling was being a mom. It was her greatest gift, and she loved every minute spent with her children. She also dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was an excellent cook and baker. She liked to sew and do cross-stitch.

Jeanne really enjoyed watching the Tigers. She watched every game she could, and she knew all the players’ names. She also enjoyed going to a spring training game with her Florida family when her and Ward were visiting.

Jeanne loved animals and fully believed that “dogs are part of the family.” She loved many dogs through the years. She thought she didn’t like cats, but in the last few years, she found that she did have a love for them as well.

Jeanne is survived by her son William (Dawn) Cary of Oxford, FL, daughter Jill (Greg) Send of Williamsburg, daughter-in-law, Sandra Allen-Cary of Central Lake, and son-in-law Charles James of Central Lake; grandchildren Morgan (Jose) Garcia, Emily Cary, Erin (Tyler) Hicks, Liam Cary, Matthew (Kjersten) Cary, Molly James, Michael James, Julie Send and Becky (Patrick) Roger; great-grandchildren Ashley, Anahi, Junior, Evelyn, Emma, and Jesse Garcia, Isaiah, Jonah, and Noah Johnston, and Alyssa, Chance, and Teagan Roger; niece Sharon Earle, nephews Dean Cary, John, Steve and Corey Good.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, son Scott in 2008, husband Ward in 2010, and daughter Kathy in 2015. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Proctor, brother-in-law Robert Cary, sister-in-law Marilyn Cary, sister-in-law Doris (Clayton) Good, and niece Denise Shooks.

The family wishes to thank everyone at Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility for their wonderful care of Jeanne during her last few months.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, October 29, at 2:00pm at the Central Lake Southern Cemetery with Pastor Timothy Manzer officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held in July 2027.

Memorials may be directed to Antrim County Animal Shelter, 4660 S M-88 Hwy, Bellaire, MI 49615, Good Samaritan Food Pantry, 9746 Main St, Ellsworth, MI 49729 or Central Lake Athletic Development Fund, c/o Central Lake Public Schools, PO BOX 128, Central Lake, Michigan, 49622.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.