Mary Lee Yatchak, 76, of Ironwood, Mich., died Dec. 26, 2010 in Hurley at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center after a brave battle with cancer.      Born Mary Lee Laird in Matchwood, Mich, on Jan. 30, 1934, daughter of Ruben and Melba (Stindt) Laird, she attended grade schools in Topaz and Bergland, Mich. before moving to Ironwood. She later attended Ironwood schools and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1952.      She attended Michigan State University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in 1956. Later she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from Northern Michigan University and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota.      Mary Lee began her business career as an accountant for Alexander Grant in Chicago. In 1959, she moved to Ironwood and taught business courses at the Ironwood High School and Gogebic Community College. She retired in 1994 after teaching for 35 years.      Mary Lee was on the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees, Michigan Association of Retired Personnel, Pikes Creek Keel Club, a volunteer at DOVE, and received the honors of "Distinguished College Faculty" and "Outstanding Foundation Board Member" at GCC.      On Sept. 5, 1964 she married Jerome Yatchak in Ironwood at St. Ambrose Church.      Some of her other loves were sailing the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior, tennis, bridge and smear, reading novels, and her daily walks through Riverside Cemetery. She was often the life of the party while cooking gourmet meals and entertaining her family and friends. Even to the end of her life, Mary Lee had a positive outlook, a quick wit, and a welcoming and everlasting smile.      Mary Lee is preceded in death by her parents Ruben and Melba (Stindt) Laird, first husband Raymond Koskela, and brother James Laird.      Mary Lee is survived by her husband of 46 years, Jerome Yatchak; her two daughters, Katherine Yatchak, Anchorage, Alaska, and Lisa Boerum, Corona, Calif.; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan Laird, Hilton Head, S.C., Paula Yatchak, Green Bay, Wisc., and Joyce (Yatchak) and Phil Schneider, Davison, Mich.; and great aunt Mary Condon, Fayetteville, Ark. She is also survived by five nephews, two nieces, and many cousins.      A private funeral service will be held at a later date with family members.      Spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Gogebic Community College Foundation.      Mary Lee's obituary may be viewed online, and condolences given to her family, at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      We will deeply miss her smiles, laughter, warm personality, and humor. Her family would like to extend their great appreciation and thanks for the compassionate care and love shown by all at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center.      Arrangements are entrusted to   McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.