Mary O. Choate

Mary O. (Moore) Choate, age 88 of Midland, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on March 21, 2026 after battling Bulbar Onset ALS. She was born in Pontiac, MI on October 29, 1937, to the late Charles H. and Ruth (Oliver) Moore.

Mary graduated from Pontiac High School and continued her education at Eastern Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Speech. She later received her Master’s degree from Oakland University in reading, which emphasized working with students who were reading-challenged. In 1954, she was installed as Honor Queen of Job’s Daughters International Bethel 5 and was chosen to be Grand Honored Queen of Michigan in 1957. She was active in campus organizations; selected as President of the Stoic Society, and later became a member of the Mortar Board Society.

She met the love of her life, Stuart Choate, in the Junior High Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) at Central Methodist Church in Pontiac, and the two were married in 1959.

Mary was passionate about serving others and pursued teaching as her profession. She began as an English teacher in the Pontiac Public Schools and became the first girls’ softball coach at Pontiac Northern High. When the family relocated to Midland in 1978, Mary taught English and Speech at Northeast and Central Intermediate Schools until she retired in 1995. During this time, she volunteered with the pom-pom squad at Northeast and was the cheerleading coach at Central for many years. Mary also led several field trips to Stratford, Ontario so that her 9th grade students could experience, live, professional performances of Shakespeare which was one of her favorite authors to teach.

Mary loved her church and loved to sing. She sang in church choirs most of her life. She was a Sunday School teacher – both elementary and adult classes and a co-counselor with her husband for the Senior High MYF before they started a family. Mary also volunteered on the Women’s Society as President, Administrative Board member, Memorial Committee as chair, Trustees, Sunday Lunch program, and happily served wherever she was needed.

In retirement Mary served 25 years as a volunteer for the MyMichigan Medical Center Gift Shop, serving as the Chair several times. She was a member of and served for the Midland Chapter FA of P.E.O. Stuart and Mary loved to travel, both domestically and internationally, including trips within the U.S. as well as to the British Isles, the Holy Land and Middle East, and following the Travels of St. Paul. At home, some of Mary’s favorite activities included attending performances and exhibits at the Midland Center for the Arts; with the Midland Symphony at the top of the list. Most of all she cherished the many hours spent spoiling her four grand and two great-grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her husband of 66 years, Stuart, son Stephen (Susan) of Frisco, TX, daughter Cathleen (Anthony) Koshar of Kalamazoo; grandchildren Allison and Andrew Choate, Paige (Austin) McCarthy and Cayla (Steven) Vander Baan; great-grandchildren Miles McCarthy and Blake Vander Baan. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother Charles Moore Jr. and sister Wilma Judy.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on June 6, 2026, at First United Methodist Church 315 W. Larkin St. Midland, MI 48640, with Rev. Jeremy Africa officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Per Mary’s wishes cremation has taken place and her cremains have been placed in the Shrader Memorial Garden at FUMC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to MyMichigan HomeCare/Hospice or the First United Methodist Church’s Community Assistance Program.