Mary McIsaac Mire (Mary Catherine McIsaac) was born on October 6, 1950, to Colin Anthony and Helen Rose (O’Leary) McIsaac. She, with her brother Colin Anthony Jr, toured the world as an Air Force family before pausing in Rantoul, IL. There, Mary graduated and attended the University of Illinois’ engineering program before marrying Jon Mire, and once again traveled as a military family. After welcoming three daughters: Lisa (formerly Forney, m. Christopher Johnson), Liliane (m. Matthew Ravn), and Laurel (Lampton), Mary divorced and returned to Rantoul to finish her BS in Computer Science and programming at the University of Illinois.

Mary was always curious, an avid reader, a wonderful cook, a gamer, and was loved by the youth. She combined these gifts into careers in food service; first at Chanute AFB and then at the U of I’s dining service, where she decorated for holidays, dressed for game days, and always greeted students with a smile or a story to encourage them.

She was blessed with four grandsons: Colin Forney, Zachary Ravn, Christopher Mire, and Alexander Lampton.

After a lengthy battle with chronic illness, Mary went home to be with her Lord on April 12, 2026. She was preceded in death by her loving parents.

Visit with family and friends on Friday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church; 1150 W Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49024. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.  

Mary was a lifelong lover of all animals and an avid supporter of animal rescues. With this in mind, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society.

While visiting Mary’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane in Portage, MI 49002, (269 344-5600).