Mary Jill Stephens Coler Cheney

Mary Jill Stephens Coler Cheney lived a robust life.

At various times in her life, she drove semis and armored vans, learned to fly airplanes, directed a choir, wrote ad copy and was a columnist for local newspapers, worked for an auctioneer, and was a school lunch lady serving 1,100 meals a day to students. She had an uncanny ability to adapt to new situations and make the most of any opportunity. Jill’s multiple careers gave her opportunities to meet new people and learn many things. “Jill, I never knew you did that!” was a common refrain she heard from friends as details of her lively and diverse life were revealed in casual conversation.

Jill was a willing volunteer. She served as the secretary of the board of Talbot House, a homeless shelter in Lakeland, FL, sang in the Lakeland Choral Society, The Summer Singers, and other community choirs, participated in a sewing group that made clothes for community members in need, and could be relied upon to lend a helping hand at church and community events. She was a past Elder in the Presbyterian Church USA.

Jill loved her family. She was proud of her son and stepchildren. She enjoyed watching her granddaughters grow up.

Jill grew-up in Midland, Michigan. As an adult she moved multiple times. However, no matter where she was living, Glen Arbor, Michigan always held a special 1942 ~ 2023

place in her heart. She embraced opportunities to spend time at the family cottage on Little Glen Lake. After the cottage was sold, she spent her summers at the Indigo Bluffs RV resort. During her summers “Up North” she volunteered at Port Oneida, the Empire Area Historical Museum, and was on the board of The Summer Singers. Jill had a special interest in collecting antique postcards from Northern Michigan to share with local museums.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Alice (Work) Stephens; brother, John Stephens; and husband, Carl Coler.

Jill is survived by son, Cory (Tabitha) Coler; granddaughters, Addison and Ashlyn; sisters, Wendy Foreman; Vicki Garcia, Margo Sire, sister-in-law, Phyillis Stephens; and her aunt, Dorothy Stephens. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 21 at 2 p.m. at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church. Rev. Homer Nye will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to the Empire Area Heritage Museum, 11544 LaCore, PO Box 192, Empire, MI 49630, Lakeland Choral Society, Inc., Summer Singers at GlenArborArt.org.

Please share memories and condolences at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.