Grace Ellen George's Obituary
Grace Ellen George was born October 6, 1936, to George Hill Grissel and Susan Grace (Arnold) Grissel. Growing up the middle child of three girls on the family dairy farm “Fairview Valley” in Wayne, Michigan, she enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood - playing in the barn with her sisters, outings, and trips with their father, listening to the Detroit Tigers on the radio and enjoying times spent at their cottage on Silver Lake.
Grace graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in English and Music in 1958. It was there, after a production of the musical “Brigadoon”, that she met future husband, Edward George. They were married on August 16,1958 and settled in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Grace taught Creative Writing at Mona Shores Junior High prior to having children. She loved teaching and was thrilled when a former student who had published a science fiction book found her and presented her with a copy. Grace was also a talented oboist and played in the West Shore Symphony and taught private lessons in the schools and at her home.
Grace loved her family and spending time with them whenever possible. She found joy in writing poetry, walking in the woods with her dog Annie, sailing, traveling, watching great movies and always enjoyed a good laugh, joke or story. She remained an avid Detroit Tigers fan, with Miguel Cabrera as her all-time favorite player.
Grace is survived by her daughter, Sarah (Paul) Hebert; twin sons, Michael (Heidi) George and Lee (Carmen) George; and sister, Georgia McKee. She was a very proud Grandmother to her seven grandchildren, Daniel, Adam, Jenna, David, Eric, Jenny and Matthew and held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews, Edward, Carol, Susan, Cathy and Keith. Grace was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Margaret Osborne.
A FUNERAL SERVICE will be 11 AM on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at The VanZantwick Chapel (620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417) with VISITATION 1 hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Grace’s honor to Blue Lake Public Radio (bluelake.org/radio). To share special memories with the family, please visit http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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