By Deborah Larsen

Mary Ellen Guthrie
Mary Ellen Guthrie was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 9, 1924, the daughter of Frank and Alice Taylor Guthrie. She grew up in Avon Township, where her family lived on John R Road. Mary attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1941.
In August 1944, Mary enlisted in the women’s branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve, known as WAVES. After completing her basic training, she was stationed at the U.S. Navy base at Norfolk, Virginia. Mary was discharged from military service in October 1945.
After the war, Mary married fellow military veteran Junius Beasley in Norfolk, Virginia. Junius and Mary were married for 66 years and had three children.
Mary Ellen Guthrie Beasley died at age 93 on April 22, 2018, and was laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery.