Ruth Mae O'Mara (Wallace)

Devoted wife, loving mother and dear friend, Ruth Mae O'Mara, 72, died Thursday, November 5, 2009, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. She was born May 1, 1937, in Carsonville, Michigan, to Clifford and Eva Marjorie (Rhead) Wallace. Ruth married William O'Mara June 23, 1956. She attended Michigan State University and taught elementary school at Carsonville for 12 years. After moving to Grayling in 1972, she was a homemaker and worked as a bookkeeper at Crawford AuSable Schools. For a brief time, she and her family moved to Montrose, MI, returning to Grayling in 1982. Shortly after, she was elected Grayling Township Treasurer, where she served for 24 years. Ruth was also a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church serving as organist, catechist, and member of CCW. She was very active, and enjoyed cross-country skiing, walking, and spending time at her second home in Paradise, Michigan. But her main interest was her family and friends. She loved to create family traditions such as the family talent show during O'Mara Christmas, the annual Brown Jug Euchre Tournament on St. Patrick's Day, and the O'Mara family calendar complete with pictures, special dates, addresses and phone numbers. She was always positive, kind and encouraging. She is survived by her husband William; her sister, Jean Diem, Port Austin; six children, Ellen (Jon) Thompson, Grayling, Cindy (Herb) Olson, Grayling, Marty (Janna) O'Mara, Traverse City, Bill (Sue) O'Mara, Clark, Wyo., Dennis (Linda) O'Mara, Goodrich, and John (Rae Ann) O'Mara, Flushing; 21 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Colin Wallace, and two granddaughters, Kayla O'Mara and Jessica Thompson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's in Grayling 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 10. Viewing will be held at the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday and at Sorenson- Lockwood Funeral Home Sunday, November 8, from 2-5 p.m., and Monday, November 9, from 4-7 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Kayla O'Mara Scholarship Fund, 105 E. Main St., Flushing MI 48433. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Mae O'Mara (Wallace), please visit our flower store.