Mary Jo Paler lived a full, rich life in Michigan. On June 18, 2025, she went to spend eternity with our Lord, at the age of 88.
Mary Jo Wasilewski was the granddaughter of Polish and Croatian immigrants and was born in Detroit on December 18, 1936. She and her older brother Paul, and her late parents Mary (Paver) and Joseph Wasilewski, grew up and lived in Detroit on Warren Avenue and Proctor in an apartment above the drugstore where her father Joseph worked as a pharmacist. She walked to Priest Elementary School, St. Luke's Catholic Church and traveled around the city by bus. She was a daddy's girl and told many stories about her adventures with her father. She loved having a coney island with buttermilk with him at Senate Coney Island on Michigan Avenue. Mary Jo took piano lessons and her love for music began to blossom.
Mary Jo attended Chadsey High School, and she sang in the school choir and was the lead soloist in the dance band. There, she met Ron Paler, son of Ukrainian immigrants. The two attended their senior prom together in 1955. They both then attended Wayne State University. Between classes, the two would go to the Detroit Institute of Arts and see an exhibit and also steal a kiss or two. Mary Jo graduated with a bachelor's degree in science, Nursing (BSN). Mary Jo started her career working at Detroit Receiving Hospital and worked at Redford General and other places. A profound moment for her was watching candidate John F. Kennedy speaking on the steps of the Detroit City Hall on Labor Day in 1960.
In 1961, Mary Jo and Ron married in Detroit at St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church, and they enjoyed 64 years together.
After returning from Bunker Hill Air Force Base in Peru, Indiana where Ron was stationed, the two started a family. Mary Jo dedicated herself to raising her children Ronald, Catherine and Anne. The tragedy of her father's death in 1967 at the drug store profoundly impacted her but she persevered. She was a loving and dedicated daughter taking care of her mother Mary until her passing, as well as a dedicated mother and homemaker to her own family. Mary Jo enjoyed cooking and continued Croatian, Polish and Ukrainian food traditions (polenta, kapusta, borscht) as well as cultural traditions, which she passed on to her children. She involved herself as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Girl Scout Troop leader and was involved in neighborhood association activities. She sang in the Livonia Civic Choir for years and made many friends there.
When Mary Jo and Ron moved to Brighton, she sang with the Livingston County Chorale, and she also sang for 25 years with the St. Patrick's Catholic Church choir. A highlight for her was singing with the St. Patrick's Choir at a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in 2001 on their European tour. Mary Jo was a befriender minister in the Catholic Church, lending an ear to the sick and dying. She also volunteered as a patient health educator at the Providence Hospital library in Novi. A favorite activity for Mary Jo was looking out of her kitchen windows to the lake, wildlife and trees in her beautiful backyard. The family constantly received updates about the deer eating the hostas, the cardinal at the bird feeder, when the first trilliums bloomed and awe at a new plant or flower she saw. Mary Jo loved all of her grandchildren and treasured their visits and all family activities.
Mary Jo continued to enjoy the nature views at Fox Run Senior Living community. Mary Jo again joined the choir there, and she and Ron were involved in many activities and clubs. She found Chadsey friends from "the old neighborhood" there and also met many new friends at the community.
Mary Jo is survived by her loving husband Dr. Ronald Paler, her children Dr. Ronald Paler, Jr. (Michael), Catherine Paler-Amaya (Jorge) and Anne Darnell (Gene). She is survived by grandchildren Nicolas Amaya, Duncan Darnell and Rebecca Darnell. Mary Jo is predeceased by her brother, Paul Wasilewski.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River, Novi, MI 48375, with a Scripture service and time for sharing beginning at 5:00 p.m.
A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 711 Rickett Rd., Brighton, MI 48116. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:30 a.m. To view the live stream of the Mass click here[ https://www.youtube.com/live/qcRi3TzO_8Q ] Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
In honor of Mary Jo's life and legacy, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Huron River Watershed Council.
Mary Jo will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love—a light in the lives of all who knew her.