Nancy K. Morgenstern's Obituary
Nancy K. Morgenstern, age 80, died Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at her Norton Shores home surrounded by her loving family.
Nancy was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., on December 9, 1935 to Oscar and Betty (Davis) Kendall, and brought into this world by her paternal grandfather, Dr. Eugene L. Kendall. A proud member of Muskegon High School’s Class of 1953, Nancy attended Muskegon Junior College and graduated in 1957 from the University of Michigan, where she was an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education. Nancy returned to Muskegon after college to teach second grade at Oak View and Nelson elementary schools.
On April 19, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart Robert M. McNiff at the First Congregational Church in Muskegon. After continuing to teach for several years, Nancy focused all of her energy on raising her growing family. Robert McNiff preceded her in death in March 1982. April 22, 1983, Nancy and H. Richard Morgenstern combined their two families at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where both families had attended for decades. This blended family led to 17 wonderful grandchildren, whom Richard and Nancy doted upon: Memorable activities included sleepovers, playing in the pool and yard, fishing, cookie baking and Christmas tree decorating. Nancy also loved taking grandchildren to plays and concerts to teach them the value of the performing arts that both she and Richard supported as volunteers. They also attended countless athletic events and school performances for their grandkids.
Even while raising her family and later spoiling her grandchildren, Nancy gave back to her hometown in many ways, including volunteering with the Greater Muskegon Service League, Harbor Hospice, Hackley Free Bed, St. Paul’s Church, Tempting Tables, the Muskegon Museum of Art, the West Michigan Symphony, Muskegon Public Schools and many other worthy causes. Her constant smile, upbeat mood and trademark colorful scarves and hair ribbons brightened any room she entered or project she tackled.
Nancy enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and all over the world with Richard and their friends, and having fun close to home, especially epic and much talked about bridge matches and summer vacations with the WOTs girls at Crystal Lake.
Richard preceded her in death on April 22, 2016. Her endearing love for her mom, “Great Betty,” two brothers, family and friends was always the center of her daily life.
Survivors include her mother Betty Kendall; brothers Robert (Mary) Kendall, David (Barbara) Kendall, all of Muskegon; sisters-in-law Kathleen (Justin) Kleaveland of Muskegon, Molly (Mike) Menegay of Southlake, TX and Julie Myers (Dominic Gaudioso) of Mendoza, Argentina and Interlochen; along with her blended family of seven children and 17 grandchildren: Robert McNiff, Jr. of Norton Shores and children Robert of Grand Rapids and Michael of Muskegon, Geoffrey (Sharynlyn) Morgenstern and daughter Marnye of Birmingham, William (Shonda) McNiff and children Oliver and Ella Evans and Nathan McNiff of Muskegon, Roger (Michelle) Morgenstern and children Patrick, Emily and Nicholas of Norton Shores, Douglas (Jennifer) Morgenstern and children Benjamin, Cecilia and Thomas of Traverse City, David (Julie) McNiff and children Carlie, David and Ryan of Norton Shores and Margaret (Jeffrey) Tuori and children Catherine and Samuel of Ada.
The family would like to express its sincere gratitude for the excellent care given to her by the staff of Hackley Hospital, Heartwood Lodge, Alliance Home Health Care Services, Comfort Keepers and Harbor Hospice for their care and compassion in Nancy’s final days; and for Nan Cass for her 30 years of being at Nancy’s side.
The FUNERAL SERVICE for Nancy will be held 11:00 AM Monday, June, 6, 2016 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1006 Third Street, Muskegon, MI 49440, with the Rev. Father Patrick S. Finn presiding. VISITATION with Nancy’s family will be 3-6:00 PM Saturday, June 4, 2016, at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231-798-1100). You are also invited to sign the family’s Online Guest Book at www.sytsema.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Harbor Hospice or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
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