Merchant Family

Mary Louise McNeely Merchant was a generous person with a dry but compassionate sense of humor. Since childhood, Mary was creative notably in paintings and writing and in her passion for cooking. The scholarship established in her name are to encourage students to be creative!

Mary’s adult life was concentrated in the service industry, helping many employees at restaurants with their skill sets, communication and customer service. She and her husband, Aly, owned three Culver’s restaurants in Michigan. At Culver’s, Mary was beloved by employees, whether it be through her impromptu employee parties, her employee promotion ceremonies (sometimes using a Jedi robe and light saber), or simply her smiles and willingness to help anyone at any time.

Mary will be remembered by Aly and their son, Alexander, for being the rock in their family at all times. No matter what problem arose, she sailed through it. Not only did she make the restaurants a fun place to work; but she also made their house a welcoming home. As for her meal preparation, she was more than a gourmet cook, she was a pastry magician. She also missed her calling of being an interior designer. All one had to do was visit the Merchant home at Holiday time to admire 50+ Nutcracker dolls, dozens of Bronner’s elves and eight fully decorated Christmas trees!

A scholarship has been established in honor of Mary Louise McNeely Merchant at Saginaw Valley State University Foundation. Mary’s scholarship will continue her brightness of life through the lives of many students. She would be very proud and would likely be there in spirit to “knight” each of them with her light saber!