Ann Cecilia McClory, 89, passed into eternal life Oct. 24.She was the beloved wife of James; loving mother of Michael (Catherine), Daniel (Florentina), Therese (Matthew) Norris and Msgr. Robert J.; proud grandmother of Claire, Emma, Pierce, Grant, Shaye, Joseph, Thomas, Margaret, Philip, Cecilia and Elizabeth; and the dear sister of Fr. Robert Conway, C.PP.S, John (Loretta) Conway, Joan (the late Marion) Lee, the late Joseph (Mary, still living) Conway, Mary (Stan, still living) Mullins, and Fr. Thomas Conway C.PP.S. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Marie Conway. Ann and James (Jim) were married on Sept. 7, 1957, at Sacred Heart Church in Roseville, and she was a longtime resident of Royal Oak and member of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Ann Cecilia Conway was born in Detroit on April 18, 1927, the fourth of seven children of Harold and Marie Conway. Ann was blessed with a devout family, which included the distinction of two sets of twins. Ann shared the special blessing of growing up alongside her dear twin sister Mary. As a young girl she moved with her family to Roseville. She entered the convent at age 15, into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth in Kalamazoo. She did not continue to final vows, and instead at age 23, returned to Roseville and worked downtown at Detroit Edison. She became active in the Third Order of St. Francis at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, and it was there she met the love of her life, James Martin McClory. The two enjoyed a prayerful, loving marriage for more than 59 years.
“My parents prayed as a couple every day. Growing up, as my father was leaving for work, my mother would always pray with him and pray over him, and he would do the same thing for her,” said Msgr. Robert McClory, the youngest of her children.
As a young mother of four, Ann was active in parish life at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Detroit. After moving to Royal Oak in 1970, she became very involved at St. Mary Parish as a catechist, lector, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and in many other ways. Ann eventually was recognized as a Certified Pastoral Minister, and helped found Healing Word Ministries, a Catholic prayer ministry. She led retreats and offered spiritual direction to many seeking the Love of Jesus. Ann was a member of the Love of God Prayer Community of Shrine of the Little Flower Parish, also in Royal Oak, for many years.
“She had a genuine warmth about her that everyone received,” Msgr. McClory said. “She had a great smile, and a quiet confidence that the Lord could use her as a humble instrument to serve Him with all she had.”
She always prayed her children would know their vocations, too, Msgr. McClory added. “In my case, she held quietly in her heart the thought from the Lord that I might be called to be a priest, but she never placed that front and center so as not to have me feel any pressure.”
She enjoyed camping, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and was able to travel to Rome and the Vatican on two occasions, and meet St. Pope John Paul II. Ann had a deep prayer life, attended Mass daily until her very last years – and possessed an abiding trust in the Mercy of Jesus. In recent months, when asked how she prayed, Ann shared, “During the day I’ll be working around and then just sit down and talk to Jesus. It’s just a matter of opening your heart and thanking Jesus, especially after receiving Holy Communion.” Throughout her entire lifetime, Ann served as a special instrument of God’s Peace, Healing, and Blessing to all.
Visitation was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 5-9 p.m., with Rosary at 7 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 27, 2-9 p.m. with 7 p.m. Vigil Service at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. (four blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak. Funeral Mass will be Friday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. (9:30 a.m. in-state) at St. Mary Catholic Church, 730 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. Memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Blvd., Detroit 48206 are appreciated. Memories may be shared at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.
