On March 1, 2018, we had to say goodbye to Jean Michael who passed away due to complications from heart surgery. Jean was a truly loved mother, sister, and friend to many people. She is survived by her son Dennis (Jan) Michael of Lithia, Florida; daughter Michele (Greg) Hilbert of Brandon, Florida; grandchildren Melanie (David) Jordy, Matt (Tiffany) Michael, Chris (Amanda) Hilbert; great grandchildren Brodie, Carson, and Noah Brockmeier, Taylor Jordy, and Emily Michael; sisters Charlene (Ralph) Hoyt, Annie Merritt, and “like a” sister Sally Walrath; and many nieces and nephews. Being one of 12 children, she is predeceased by her parents, 9 brothers and sisters and one grandson-in-law. We know a family reunion is already taking place in Heaven.
Born on January 13, 1928, Jean was a farm girl who grew up in Afton, N.Y. She was a veteran having served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War (she always said that she made sure the Army payroll department in St. Louis was well guarded). She was a single Mom for most of her life and worked for many years as the elementary school secretary at Afton Central School. When she retired, she moved to the Brandon area in Florida to be near her son and daughter. During her early retirement years, she worked with several local travel agencies helping to arrange trips for her senior friends. As such, she had the opportunity to travel and cruise to numerous locations throughout the United States and nearby countries.
In her later years, Jean moved to the Jamison Building in Townshores retirement community in Gulfport, Florida, where she loved taking G.E.M. bus rides provided by the Gulfport Senior Center, and sitting on the “front porch” of the building most days chatting with friends. She was in great health until the very end and prided herself in the fact that people would guess she was in her early 70’s and could not believe she was 90 years old.
Jean was highly organized and had a way with numbers----had she been born in a later era, she could very well have ended up a CFO of some company. While never making more than $6 an hour in her working life, she was a great saver and bargain hunter. Jean never talked about it, but many family and friends who needed help over the years were recipients of sizable checks from her. She never forgot a grandchild’s or great grandchild’s birthday and they always looked forward to getting a “treasure” from her bargain hunting excursions.
For anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory, please donate to the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation (http://gulfportseniorfoundation.org/support-us/) who helped make her life so enjoyable these last few years.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beachmemorialchapel.com for the Michael family.
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