Mary Barton

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Andrea Peabody Barton on June 23, 2025, at the age of 80 in Bellaire, MI. Mary was born on May 20, 1945 in Detroit to Ellwood and Nora Mae Peabody. She grew up in Grosse Pointe, where she spent most of her adult life, as well as living in St. Louis and Jackson. Mary especially loved the time she spent at her family-owned Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Belleair, FL and her annual winter trips to Panama City, Panama to visit her son and daughter-in-law (Jeffrey and Lina Barton) and their children. Mary died peacefully at her Shanty Creek home with her loving husband of 57 years, Rufus King Barton III, by her side. 

Mary attended the Grosse Pointe Academy, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, IL, Duchene Residence in NYC and received her BA from Maryville College in St. Louis. She met her husband RK in St. Louis and together they went on to have three children, Ann Barton Edwards (Charles), Susie Barton Cooper (Lewis), Jeffrey Bradshaw Barton (Lina). Mary delighted in her grandchildren Elizabeth, Bonnie, Charlie and Timmy Edwards, Danny and William Bowen, and Bradley and Justin Barton. 

Mary was well known for her amazing cooking and fun social gatherings. She loved connecting people with each other and had a playful and sassy sense of humor. She loved giving helpful tips on just about everything. Mary had a passion for gardening, which was reflected not just in her own personal garden, but in her full support and love of the Bellaire Youth Initiatives’ children’s garden at the John Rodgers Elementary School. Mary enjoyed golf over the years at the Jackson Country Club, Country Club of Detroit and Shanty Creek. She was lucky enough to have had two holes in one. 

Mary had also been a member of the Junior League’s of St. Louis and Detroit, Tau Beta Association, IBEX, Grosse Pointe Farm & Garden Club and Junior League gardeners. Mary was an active member of both the Bellaire Garden Club and the Juniper Garden Club of Rapid City. She loved the Bellaire and Antrim County community which became her final home.

Faith was a very important component of Mary’s life. She regularly attended Saint Paul’s, St. Luke’s and St. Anthony’s Catholic churches. Mary adored the 8 years she spent with the ladies at the Bellaire Women’s Bible Study Group. Her faith and kindness will live on through the friendship she made there. 

A special thank you to Meadow Brook’s Rehab Facility, Munson Healthcare Hospice and Palliative Care group, as well as Bridget Powell and Kim Yuill for the exceptional love and care they provided to Mary over the last 7 months. They were dear friends. Mary loved fiercely and deeply. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. 

Funeral masses will be held at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI at 10:00 AM Friday July 25, 2025 and at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 3088 South M-88, Bellaire, MI at 11:00 AM Tuesday July 29, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to:

The Bellaire Youth Initiative, PO Box 385 Bellaire, MI 49615

https://bellaireyouthinitiative.org/donate/

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