Mary Ruth (Rauter) Fairman

December 5, 1934 ~ April 15, 2016 (age 81)

Mary Ruth Fairman (nee Rauter), aged 81, of East Grand Rapids passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016. Educator, civic volunteer, and soprano, one of the highlights of her life was singing under renowned choir director Robert Shaw in the Cleveland Choir in the 1960’s. Raised by civically-involved parents Al and Urania Rauter, Mary was a long-time volunteer with the Grand Rapids Urban League. She performed in the 1980’s and 90’s with the Fountain Street Choir, touring to Carnegie Hall in 1987. As a child, she performed on the radio in plays written by her mother & broadcast in Milwaukee, WI.  Mary attended Milwaukee Downer College (now Lawrence University). She adored her granddaughter and all children, was a life-long learner, avid reader, was immersed in politics & arts and culture, and approached every situation with her dry wit and contagious sense of humor. She is lovingly remembered by her brother Mark (Mary Ann) Rauter; children Michael Fairman & Dani Jeffries, Carolyn Fairman; Sally Fairman & Kevin King; step children Catherine & Ken Osleger; Mark Fairman; and granddaughter Barry Fairman Jeffries. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 13 from 3-5 PM at the East Grand Rapids Yacht Club, 740 Lakeside Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the University of Michigan Health System to support the Stroke Fund for Discovery. Checks may be made payable to the “University of Michigan” and mailed to the UMHS Office of Development, Attn: Tribute Gifts, 1000 Oakbrook, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI  48104. You may also donate online at https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/319086/tributee/Mary%20Fairman/type/memory or call 734-998-6893 to make your gift.

http://www.metcalfandjonkhoff.com/notices/Mary-Fairman