Obituary of Grace Jean Mooney

MOONEY, Grace Jean was born to John Felix and Nellie Mae (Kelsey) Lovay in Saginaw, Michigan on June 26, 1929. She lived most of her life in the town of her birth, Saginaw, of which she loved dearly. Her only absence from the community occurred when her husband attended medical school in Wisconsin, served as a Lieutenant in the Navy in California, and then a brief stint in Detroit while he completed his residency requirements. She attended Ss. Peter and Paul High School and participated in many social and educational activities while a student there. She had beautiful green eyes and thick long auburn hair, which prompted a photo in the school newspaper with the caption "flame of the junior class". While at Ss. Peter and Paul, she met the love of her life, James Cole Mooney. They were later to wed in Saginaw, on September 8, 1951 in an intimate ceremony of friends and family. Grace later attended the Saginaw General Hospital School of Nursing from which she is an alumnus. The school closed in 1969, but her classmates remain well connected to this day. Grace began her professional career working for many years at Saginaw General and later St. Luke's Hospital. She "retired" briefly to raise her family of six children. When her husband died in 1972, Grace went back to nursing, obtaining perfect grades during recertification and going on to earn the respect, admiration and praise of the all nurses and doctors she worked with in the hospital system. Grace ended her nursing career at 65 and enjoyed almost 20 years in retirement. She lived in Saginaw until her death. For most of her adult life, she closely engaged with the activities of her brothers and sisters, of which there were many. Surviving is her sister, Helen (Donald) Liebrock; brother, James (Susan) Lovay; and her stepmother, Ruth Simecki. She was preceded in death by three brothers: Gerald (Sally), Raymond, and John (Grace) Lovay; and three sisters: Ruth (Ted) Streussnig, Dorothy (Donald) McFarland, and Esther (Albert) Makl. Family events amongst this intimate family generated volumes of stories and memories of which Grace Jean was often the focal point of the story line. Grace was an avid reader and often would forego many of the creature comforts of life in lieu of completing "just one more chapter". If it were a detective, murder, or mystery story, she would often read until falling asleep. She was also quick to engage others in conversation and relished in the opportunity to do so. Agreement was not as much of a priority as was the interaction of the discussion at hand. Grace and her husband Jim loved to vacation "up north" to places such as Traverse City, Lake Leelanau and Petoskey Michigan. Trips to Canada created volumes of memories, photos, and stories that are shared to this day. A trip to Spain with close friends created one of the most cherished photographic memories of her life. Three sons and three daughters survive her: James E. (Gail A.) Mooney of Valparaiso, IN, Kathryn A. (Chris Wessels) Mooney of Wells, Maine, Margaret E. (Martha Gaines) Mooney of Madison, WI, and John C. Mooney, Joseph P. (Rebecca J.) Mooney and Mary D. Mooney, all of Saginaw, MI. Grace also leaves ten grandchildren; Jamie E. Mooney, Jordan N. Mooney, Shane K. Mooney, Megan J. Mooney, Jonathon C. Mooney, Joseph R. Gaines, Grace C. Mooney, James C. Mooney, Sarah K. Mooney and Connor J. Mooney as part of her legacy. In addition to her family, Grace leaves a life legacy of generosity to others, connectivity with family, the pursuit of all things interesting and a spaghetti recipe that is the envy of most cooks. FUNERAL: A Memorial Service honoring Grace will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Following the service her ashes will be interred at St. Andrew Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. VISITATION: The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:30 a.m. MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the charity of their choice. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.