Margaret Corey Brazzil, age 88, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017.

Margaret Ann Corey was born in Windsor, Ontario on November 29, 1928. Her father, William Corey, was an American born in Chelsea, Michigan. He fought in France during WWI as an infrantryman.  Her mother was Canadian and worked for Hiram Walker’s son, the attorney, after the War.  She had three brothers, Jack (John), Bill and Jim. They lived very close to the Ambassador Bridge on Indian Road.

The family moved to Detroit when Margaret was eight years old. Her father was a pressman for the Detroit News. In the 1930s, the company adopted a policy that all of it’s employees live in Detroit. Margaret attended Precious Blood School in Detroit, then Immaculata High and spent a year as a student at the University of Detroit.  She met our father on a blind date set up by her high school friend and Brazzil cousin, Marie Gilbert. The couple married and settled in the Corey family home on Middle Street in Chelsea.  They moved into the home on Woodworth in Redford Township with three children and proceeded to add seven more to their family.  Margaret is the beloved mother of Carolyn (Frank Edgley), Colleen Batdorff (Steve), Christine Cagle (Gerry), Cynthia, Cheryl Huntly, Charlene Humiston, Cathryn Desautel (Dave), Brian, Patrick, Cassie Desautel (Dave), and Corinne.

Margaret was a loving and hard working Mom to all of us.  She raised all ten of us to be confident and successful adults.  She provided support, encouragement and a kick in the pants if needed. She began a career as a computer company office manager when Corinne (the youngest) was ten.  She saw a “help wanted” sign in the window of a small business around the corner from our house.  She applied and was hired for a job assembling computer circuit boards.  Three days later, she was named supervisor and one month after that, she was promoted to office manager. She continued to work in that position for 25 more years. 

She is dearly loved by all of her 20 grandchildren who affectionately call her “Nana”. They are Sean Clancy, Meagan Clancy Polak, Allison and Katy Batdorff, Jason and Michael Cagle, Stephanie Huntley Shaughnessy, Ryan and Lindsay Huntley, Jenna El-Zaatari, Nicole and Melanie Huntley, Jeremy Humiston, Payton and Aidan Brazzil, Nick and Natalie Desautel and Brian Kyle, Cory and Autumn Brazzil.  She has 17 great grandchildren, Norah Clancy, Thomas and Daniel Polak, Beatrix Batdorff, Christopher, Matthew, and Lily Cagle, Brady and Jase Cagle, Daniel and Christina Shaughnessy, Henry and Hannah Huntley, and Grace, Faith, Titus and David Humiston. 

Her family did keep her very busy but she still had time to work her crossword puzzles and word games. She was unbeatable in Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  She was a avid reader, loved to travel, and play golf. Her favorite gift from us was her iPad.  She was often seen playing Candy Crush, Solitaire or working a puzzle.

It’s hard to lose someone who has had such a profound impact on so many. We are fortunate to have had her for the time we did. We hope her strength, courage and sense of humor will live on in all of us. We will miss her forever.

Visitation Sunday, August 20th, from 3-8pm at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills.  Funeral Mass Monday with in state at 10:30am followed by Mass at 11:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 South Lafayette, South Lyon.  Interment will be in South Lyon Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Relay For Life.