Jean Lantis' Obituary
Age 88, of Jackson, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Victorian Manor AFC and under the care of Great Lakes Caring Hospice. Jean's family would like to give special thanks to all of her friends for their caring and support, especially Linda Bevier.
She was the daughter of Herbert and Maude Longstaff. Jean is survived by sons, Lynn (Renee) of Jackson, Scott (Deborah) of Napoleon and Daniel (Melpomeni) of Fife Lake; nephew, David; niece, Caroline; several grandnieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Lyle, her husband of fifty-six years; brother, Clarence; sister-in-law, Helen; daughters-in-law, Janis (Lynn), Tina (Dan) and several very, very dear friends.
Jean went to college at forty, earning a BA and MA from MSU. She taught high school English at Grass Lake, where she was known as "Aunt Jean." Jean was a member of St. Rita's Parish, three library book clubs, the Columbia Writers Group, and she volunteered at the Coe House Museum in Grass Lake and at the library Book Cellar in Jackson.
Jean was an avid, life-long reader who particularly enjoyed memoirs, travel books and English murder mysteries. Her mother died when she was ten and she spent the next three school years in Montreal with her aunt's family, coming back to Michigan alone on the train to spend summers with her father. She was living in Montreal in 1939 when WWII started, giving her a lifelong interest in history.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at Arthur-Day Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 11:00 am with Deacon Chris Vida officiating. Visitation from 10:00 am until service time. Remembrances may be made to the Napoleon Friends of the Library, Box 476, Napoleon, MI 49261, the Grass Lake Area Historical Society, Box 53, Grass Lake, MI 49240 or a charity of your choice.
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