Marian Elizabeth Feehery

Lansing, Michigan - Marian Feehery (affectionately known as “GG”), a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and long-time teacher, passed away at home on October 29, 2022 surrounded by her family after 100½ happy, fulfilling years of life.

Marian had a true passion for life and was an inspiration to her family, friends, and everyone she met.

Marian was a Waverly School District teacher for 22 years. She began her teaching career in 1964. James Feehery, her late and beloved husband of 64 years, encouraged and supported her to attend college in her mid-30’s. She entered the workforce as a mother of five children to pursue a life-long career in teaching for the Waverly School District.

Marian was able to share her passion for teaching by educating elementary through high school students. She served as a Waverly School Board member, department chair, member of the executive board of the PTO, and the head of the Teacher’s Union. She fostered the first mentally-impaired program at Winans Elementary School.

Marian earned her master’s degree at Michigan State University. She had a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University where she studied elementary and special education. She was awarded a scholarship and became the second special education major ever to deliver the commencement convocation speech. She also organized the first student teacher’s union while at Wayne State.

Later, she held positions with the National Education Association, the Michigan Education Association, and the Waverly Education Association (WEA). She was involved in the Chicano-Hispanic Caucus, chaired various committees and task forces, and was WEA president for three years and WEA vice president for one year.

Marian was a life-long learner and a voracious reader. She had the gift of gab which made her an amazing storyteller. Her eyes lit up when she shared stories about teaching and her 100 years of life.

Since retirement, Marian enjoyed spending time with her family, their extended families, friends, and her faithful companion Meadow (her cat). She loved to garden, dance, go shelling on the beach in Florida, and travel. She was always up for an adventure!

Her parents, Stanley and Anita Shimkus, of Los Angeles, CA, her beloved husband James Feehery, of Lansing, MI, her brothers Stanley, John, and Richard Shimkus preceded her in death. She is survived by her five children: Suzi (Sami) Feehery, Pat Feehery, James Martin Feehery, Susan Feehery, and Carolynne (Karl) Bohnhoff; grandchildren, Kopavi (Lisa) Delise, Jamie (David) Meredith, Megan (Marquis) Hudson, Justin (Kelli) Ford, Heather (Nic) Sprague, Sean (Cassie) Feehery; great-grandchildren, Daniel Burton, Davin Delise, Alexander, Erin, and Frances Meredith, Ava and Jackson Ford, Bjorr Sprague, Dylan and Cody Marcotte; brother James Shimkus; nephews, Patrick, Denis, and Gary Nolan; nieces Wendy Grammatica, Sherry Shimkus, Andy (Mel) Kerfoot and other relatives, and many friends.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life 2:00-6:00PM on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Marian’s home, 1713 Opaline Drive, Lansing, MI, 48917. The family welcomes your presence. Contributions may be made to Sparrow Home Hospice (sparrow.org/give) or the Waverly Education Foundation in memory of Marian Feehery.