Lois Marian Hursley

Obituary for Lois Marian Hursley Lois Marian Hursley (nee Theisen) passed serenely in her Birmingham home of nearly 60 years, surrounded by the love and care of her family. She was 93 years old. Growing up in northwest Detroit, she attended Epiphany Elementary and graduated from St. Mary’s of Redford High School in 1946. Just the very next year, in 1947, she would marry that boy that snuck a live mouse into her sweater pocket while both were working their shifts at Hygrade slaughterhouse. His name was Frank Hursley, Jr., and he had recently returned home from his service in the US Army in the European theatre of WWII. Marry they did and after moving to suburban Birmingham, by the time she was 34 and Frank was 36, they had amassed a family of nine children. All nine children attended Holy Name Elementary where she also taught catechism. Once the youngest child started first grade, Lois accepted a job in the ladies’ shoe salon at Jacobson’s department store in downtown Birmingham. She didn’t retire until Jacobson’s closed some 36 years later. Occasionally, during her retirement, while dining at her favorite, Peabody’s restaurant, she would hear someone comment, “Oh look, there’s the Jacobson’s Lady.” She and Frank spent sixty years together, raising their nine children with a loving encouragement to embrace each one’s uniqueness. They actually allowed one of their sons to bring home a real-live monkey as a pet! They lived a full life, with an active appreciation of literature and live theatre. Most cherished were the yearly family vacations on the beautiful lakes of their beloved northern Michigan. Frank passed in 2008. Lois was able to stay in their lovely home for the rest of her days, due to the loving commitment and care of her grown children. After all, she was the heart and soul of the family. She is survived by her nine children, Paul, Robert “Greg”, James, Frank III “Mick”, Timothy (Jeanie), Ann Wilson, Mary, Carole Allen (Bill), and Duncan. Her legacy continues through fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Leone Theisen, her beloved husband, Frank, and her brothers, Robert (Faye) and Fred (Mary). Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks, Clawson, Wednesday, July 21, 3-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church, 630 Harmon, Birmingham, Thursday, July 22, 10am. Burial will take place in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. Memorials appreciated to Hospice of Michigan or the charity of the donor’s choice.