Mary Ann Quinlan
August 1, 1934 – August 3, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our mother, Mary Ann (née Barber, formerly Borsum) Quinlan, 92, passed away peacefully at home on August 3, 2026, surrounded by her family. She leaves behind a profound legacy of faith, family, and community.
Born on August 1, 1934, in Newberry, Michigan, she was the cherished daughter of Forest Lee and Myoma Minnie (Spreeman) Barber. After graduating from Newberry High School in 1952, Mary Ann trained as an X-ray technician in St. Paul, Minnesota, later working at The Polyclinic in Sault Ste. Marie.
In 1957, she married Alfred Edgar “Al” Borsum. Together, they shared 37 beautiful years of marriage and raised their three children in Middleville, Michigan, alongside their next-door neighbors, the Reyff family. She was later blessed to marry M. Charles “Chuck” Quinlan, with whom she shared a wonderful second chapter, first exploring the world together and later enjoying countless trips to visit their children and growing family. They also cherished regularly returning to their hometown of Newberry, remaining devoted companions until Chuck’s passing in 2020.
For more than 60 years, Mary Ann was a true cornerstone of the Middleville United Methodist Church. She was deeply active in the United Women in Faith, shared her musical gifts by playing the piano for services, and spent countless hours volunteering in the kitchen. Beyond her church community, she was an avid reader, an enthusiastic Scrabble player, and an adventurous world traveler who proudly visited all 50 states and multiple continents.
She is survived by her children: Eric Borsum (Eric Miller), Todd Borsum (Tomoe), Alison DeMarco (Mike), as well as five cherished grandchildren: Bryan Erickson, Max DeMarco, Phoebe Borsum, Mia DeMarco, and Hugo Borsum plus the family’s former Finnish exchange student Perttu Arkkilla.
She is also survived by her stepchildren: Debra J. Watson (James), William C. Quinlan (Barbara), and Lynda M. Morrissey (Mike); and seven step-grandchildren and two great-step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Al and Chuck, and her brothers, Earl Lee and Forest Richard Barber.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 7 at 2:00 PM at the Middleville United Methodist Church, 111 Church Street, Middleville, MI, with a visitation one hour prior from 1:00-2:00 PM, followed by a luncheon. A private burial will take place at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Community Food Pantry at the Middleville United Methodist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Faith & Hope Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate care and support during Mary Ann’s final days. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Mary Ann’s family.
William “Bill” Connolly
September 13, 1954 – August 3, 2026
William “Bill” Connolly, 71, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on September 13, 1954, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, to Alfred and Edith Connolly, Bill spent his early years in Stockbridge and Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1995, he and the love of his life, Dee, made their home in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, where they built a life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and an appreciation for God’s creation.
A Master Plumber and Mechanical Contractor, he also held numerous professional licenses and endorsements, including his Builder’s License, Refrigeration, Boiler Installer, Lead Wiping, and Pipe Fitting. Whether constructing a custom home from the ground up, solving a difficult mechanical problem, or helping a neighbor with a repair, Bill approached every project with exceptional craftsmanship, ingenuity, and an unwavering commitment to doing every job right. He was known to work through a problem until the answer came – sometimes even in his sleep – and he rarely accepted that something could not be fixed, improved, or made to work. Somehow, Bill always found a way. Alongside Dee, he owned and operated a successful plumbing and heating business for many years before retiring in 2015.
Bill was known not only for his remarkable work ethic, but also for his quiet generosity. Friends, neighbors, and family were often surprised with fresh vegetables from his garden, bouquets of flowers, honey from his apiary, or fish from his latest catch. If someone admired something or had a need, Bill quietly found a way to provide it, never seeking recognition. His kindness was genuine, humble, and simply part of who he was.
Bill was an avid beagler who loved rabbit and deer hunting, fishing, beekeeping, gardening, and farming. He planted trees, tended gardens, cared for his bees, and found peace in the woods, fields, and waters of the Upper Peninsula. He appreciated every season and never lost his sense of wonder for God’s beautiful creation.
Above all, Bill loved his family. He and Dee built a beautiful life together filled with laughter, shared projects, flourishing gardens, and the joy of helping raise their grandchildren. He found happiness in life’s simple pleasures and treasured every moment spent with the people he loved. He was easily made happy by life’s simple gifts – a good meal, a fishing buddy, a successful project, or time spent with the people he loved.
Bill led by example through hard work, quiet strength, integrity, and compassion. He was the one everyone called when something was broken because somehow, he always knew how to make it better. More importantly, he made people feel safe, supported, and loved. His example will continue to guide his family for generations to come.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife and soulmate, Dee Connolly; his parents, Alfred and Edith Connolly; his brothers, Fred and Gary Connolly; his in-laws, Harry and Pat Dion; his sister in-law, Sherry Dion; son-in-law Jeff Hamlin and his nephew Mark Arthur Dion.
He is survived by his children, Laura Everhart (Joel), Joe Buchanan (Laura), Laura Hamlin, and Jill Connolly; his cherished grandchildren, Ethan Everhart, Eric Buchanan, Jayden Everhart, and Makena Buchanan; his brother, Tom Connolly; his sister, Maryann Cross; his brothers-in-law, Harry Dion (Liz), Jerry Dion (Sue), and Mike Dion; his sister-in-law, Madonna Knudson; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
In keeping with his wishes, Bill made the generous decision to give the gift of life through Gift of Life Michigan by donating his body to help people in medical need and to support medical education and research. His final act reflected the quiet generosity that defined his life.
At Bill’s request, a private celebration of his life will be held.
After losing Dee, the love of his life, Bill never stopped missing her. It brings great comfort to his family to know they are together again-reunited in Heaven after a lifetime of love, side by side once more.
To honor Bill’s memory, plant a tree, a flower, or a garden. Spend time outdoors, “wet a line”, listen to the birds, watch the wildlife, and take a quiet moment to appreciate God’s beautiful creation. Most importantly, cherish your family. Those simple things brought Bill the greatest happiness and are the legacy he hoped to leave behind.
Bill built far more than homes. He built a life of integrity, generosity, and unconditional love. His legacy lives on in the people he cherished, the values he instilled, and the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
Condolences may be shared at http://www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
