Mary Putnam Tuttle

Mary Putnam Tuttle

Lansing - Mary Putnam Tuttle passed away on March 13 at Sparrow Hospital. She was born on January 7, 1927, to Henry and Hazel Putnam, in Brookings, South Dakota. Her childhood was spent in Minnesota. She attended Cottey College and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1948 with a major in Sociology.

Mary Celia married Lewis Potter Tuttle in 1953, and they had three children - Amy, Brian and Rebecca. They were blessed with 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Mary Celia was a wonderful family historian, and she loved to assemble an annual collage of family pictures, proudly displayed in her home. In early years she worked with teen programs at the Y.W.C.A. in Santa Monica, CA and Lansing, MI. She later earned her master's Degree from Michigan State Universityand was a Social Worker in the kidney dialysis dept. of Sparrow Hospital, from 1995-2006.

Mary was a member of Edgewood Church and loved singing in the choir. She also greatly enjoyed involvement with her PEO chapter. Mary Celia was known in the Lansing and Dearborn communities for her influential leadership with the League of Women's Voters, serving with great passion and commitment. She was also a volunteer advocate for healthcare and other social causes.

Mary Celia was predeceased by her husband, Lewis, and their daughter, Amy, who died from childhood Ewings sarcoma, and brother, Herb Putnam. She is survived by her husband Will Alexander, whom she married in 2012; and, by her son, Brian (Barbara) of Grand Rapids, and daughter Rebecca (Clint) of Medina, Ohio; and granddaughters Julie, Rachel, Miriam, Naomi, Stephanie, and Emily and her 12 great-grandchildren. She was a lovely, compassionate woman and will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on April 8 at 3:00 at Edgewood Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Rd, E. Lansing. Memorial Contributions may be made to Edgewood United Church, the League of Women's Voters, or the American Cancer Society.