Mary Ann and Sally: Best friends since first grade.

American House Lakeshore residents Mary Ann Bodendistel and Sally Chown first met at St. Ambrose Catholic grade school in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

“In those days,” Sally said, “they used to have processions and Mary Ann and I led it because we were the shortest. We’ve been best friends since first grade.”

The two laugh easily and its obvious they’ve been laughing together since they were kids.

Mary Ann was born in Canada and moved to Michigan with her family when she was five. She grew up across the street from St. Ambrose Church, not far from where Sally’s family lived. The two friends spent 12 years together at St. Ambrose.

Mary Ann’s father worked as an accountant at General Motors and her mother worked at CKLW, one of the most influential and popular Top 40 radio stations for both Canada and the United States at the time, as a staff pianist.

“My mother was a professional player and performed concerts around the city,” she said. “She gave me my first piano lessons but it wasn’t for me.”

Mary Ann went on to attend Hotel-Dieu Hospital School of Nursing in Windsor, Canada, the same hospital where she was born. When she completed her studies, she returned to Michigan, became a registered nurse in 1960 and met her future husband, Jerry. He eventually worked his way up to president of the Michigan Pharmacists Association. Mary Ann’s son is now an artist who works for Hallmark, her daughter is also a registered nurse and she has five grandchildren.

Sally grew up an only child. “After I graduated from St. Ambrose, I went to the University of Detroit Mercy for a year and a half before I quit,” Sally said. “Then I went to work in the sales offices at CLKW in The Guardian Building in downtown Detroit.”

She married her husband Ray in November 1960 and kept working at CKLW until their first baby was born. Her husband worked for Chrysler and was almost transferred to Turkey.

“My mother was not happy that my first child was going to be born in Turkey,” Sally said. “As it turns out, Chrysler cancelled the transfer and we stayed in Grosse Pointe. I was actually excited to go. The world was different back then. We didn’t have the problems we do now.”

Sally and her husband had three boys, but sadly, lost their middle son in 2017. Her other two sons live nearby and she sees them often.

The two lifelong friends claim they have never had a fight and they understand each other completely. Even their husbands got along great and the two families often travelled together. They took trips to Ireland and Spain and lived close to each other when they spent their winters in Florida.

When asked what they love most about American House, Sally chimes in first. “Oh, American House is just … bubbly! The help is extraordinary. The wait staff is the same. The activities lady, Rachel Smith, is a total gem. We take lovely trips and go to amazing restaurants. We have nothing to complain about.”

It seemed only natural that two people who enjoy each other’s company as much as Mary Ann and Sally do would have a secret to the meaning of true friendship.

“It’s simple really,” Mary Ann said. “We listen and talk to each other. We have our ups and downs and we share that. It also helps to start young.”

The two friends sit back and their faces break out in laughter once again.

We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.