The Motor City and Me ― Our Story

“The Motor City and Me: Our Story” by Mary Anne McMahon highlights the rich history of Detroit and how the Motor City has left a lasting impact on one woman and her family.Primarily following McMahon’s life and experiences in Detroit, “The Motor City and Me” tells her story from growing up as a young girl in the city and graduating from the University of Detroit to beginning her adult life and eventually moving away. Although she left the city long ago, McMahon’s story shows readers how the Motor City has permanently changed her for the better. Paralleling the rise and fall of Detroit with the ups and downs of her own life, the author shows readers how Detroit values strengthened and reassured her throughout the difficult times.“I read my mother’s autobiography and took a journey through 20th century Detroit, and my ancestors had a remarkable journey in the 1800s to Detroit,” says McMahon. “Unfortunately, the details of their stories are all buried with them. I want to provide an example of how over time, an ordinary life becomes a glimpse of history and priceless for future generations.”From the rise and fall of the automotive industry to the city’s recent financial woes, “The Motor City and Me” strives to take readers on a personal journey through an extraordinary American city. Tracing her family’s Detroit lineage through four generations, McMahon’s memoirs aims to give readers a thorough look at the city’s history and the indelible mark it has left on her.About the Author:Mary Anne McMahon was born and raised in Detroit. Unlike most fathers of her generation, McMahon’s father owned and operated a civil engineering company instead of having a connection to the auto industry. Along with her brother Jim, McMahon experienced a happy childhood, attending eastside Catholic schools and enjoying the once flourishing city, eventually following in her father and brother’s footsteps by graduating from the University of Detroit. McMahon has over 28 years of teaching experience, including time during the city’s period of racial unrest in the 1960s. Although she moved to Houston in 1976, McMahon and her family still regarded Detroit as the only place they would ever call home. She has two daughters and two grandchildren and currently lives in Houston with her husband, Bill.