Mary Harrington's Obituary
Mary R. Harrington, age 70, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025, at Trinity Health-Muskegon Campus. She was born July 15, 1954, to Edward and Junice (Udell) LaFave in Grand Rapids, MI. Shortly after she was born, Mary had lived in Omaha, NE for about 10 years, before her family moved back to West Michigan.
Mary was a free spirit who loved everyone. She had a kind and gentle soul, but also was the life of the party, who had no filter. To know her, was to love her. She was an avid bingo player and loved to sing karaoke. Mary loved her family and spending time with them. She would take her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the parks and enjoy going on picnics with them, as well as swimming and teaching them how to swim. She will be remembered as someone who loved with all their heart and no matter where you came from or what you had, you loved, she would not judge you.
Mary is survived by daughter; Jennifer (Joseph) Smith; grandchildren, Mikayla and Josh Smith; Daughter; Amy (Edward) Cole; grandchildren Rebecca (Levi) McKenzie; great-grandchildren; Renee, Hailey and Lauren McKenzie; granddaughter, Megan Cole (David Fletcher); great grandchildren, Payton Angell, Aria Fletcher, Chase Cole and Easton Fletcher; adoptive grandchildren, Joshua Cole (Rachel Smith) and kids, Jessica Cole and kids and David Cole; daughter; Katherine Harrington (Terrence Stewart); grand children Tyreece (Delainy) Harrington; great grandchild, Delylah Harrington, grandchildren Jesse Flores, Timmy and Saquoia and great-grandchild Ezekiel; Son-in-law; Tyler Nique; grandchildren, Christopher Swiecicki and Alaina Harrington; great grandchild Kyron Casey; grandchildren Micah, Tytus, Cadence and Caleb Nique; son David (Christina) Harrington; daughter; Julie Harrington; grandchildren; Olivia Harrington and Aniya Redmond; and daughter; Jessica Harrington (Daniel Cook), and grandchildren; Danielle and Julian Harrington and Daniel Cook Jr.; 2 brothers; David (Liz) LaFave and Louis LaFave; and 3 sisters, Edith Ensrud, Junice (Elex) Leyton and Virginia Parks.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Thomas LaFave and daughter, Sara Nique.
A service will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441, with a visitation one-hour prior. Share memories with the family on their online guestbook at https://www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?

