Mary Elizabeth (Brownfield) Hydrick, 99 years old, was born in October 1924 to John Floyd and Gazell
(Harrison) Brownfield in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Mary graduated from Uniontown High School in
1942 and attended Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia where she was a member of Alpha Xi
Delta Sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of
Nursing in Nashville TN, and met her husband of 75 years there. After her husband Robert Hydrick's
graduation from medical school, they moved to Grand Rapids, MI. Mary worked as a pediatric nurse on
the polio floor at Butterworth Hospital. Later as a nurse volunteer, she presented health programs in the
Grand Rapids Public School for several years. Mary was a charter member of the Junior Diet Kitchen
Guild at Butterworth Hospital, volunteered in the coffee shop for over 50 years and through the guild
worked on fundraising events for the hospital. Mary enjoyed and appreciated the beauty of nature,
loved animals and all things botanical. She was a Founding Member of Meijer Gardens. Enthusiastic and
curious by nature, Mary loved reading, playing bridge, gardening, knitting, traveling, socializing with
friends, playing tennis and cooking for her family and friends. Mary was a devoted wife and a loving
mother to three daughters. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved them
dearly. Robert and Mary were members of Park Congregational Church for over 70 years. Since 2012
they were happy to make their home at Porter Hills Village where they enjoyed the company of lifelong
friends and new friends.
She is survived by daughters Susan Middleton (Presbury West) Glenview, IL, Constance Adair (Robin)
Pleasant Ridge, MI, and Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Lindberg (Eric) Herndon, VA. She is also survived by
grandchildren Christopher and Philip (Megan) Middleton, Jessica (Mark) Strasberg, Robin  Adair (Sarah Sutton),
Elizabeth (Shawn) McCloskey, Harrison Adair, Seth (Rashi Ratan) Lindberg, Dr. Mary Lindberg (Josh
Gazdik), as well as great-grandchildren Liam, Charlotte, Suhani, Sonika, Andrew, Jaya, Skye, Michael,
Adam, Hazel, and Veronica. Mary is also survived by her nieces Patricia (Harold) Balsinger, Myra
Wilkinson, and nephew Robert (Vicki) Wilkinson.
A year ago, Mary's husband Robert preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her
grandsons David and John Middleton, sister Ruth Wilkinson, brother-in-law Robert Wilkinson and
nephew John Wilkinson.
The family is grateful for the love and care given to Mary over the past few years by Wendy, Peggy,
Darla, and Vicky, as well as the staff at the Green House Homes and Emmanuel Hospice during her final
days.
A celebration of Mary's life will take place at First (Park) Congregational Church on Saturday March 9,
2024 at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m. prior to the service.
Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to
First (Park) Congregational Church, Porter Hills Benevolent Fund or Meijer Gardens.