Nancy Jean Stephens

On July 16, 2015, Nancy Jean Stephens (Hayes), age 85, of Grandville was reunited with her son, David, and her parents in heaven. Those who love and will deeply miss Nancy are her children, Karen Rosbury (Terry), Steve Hayes, Allen Hayes (Kathy), and Matthew Hayes, her 9 grandchildren, her brother, Bob Stephens (Marilyn) and her 12 great-grandchildren, as well as all those whose lives she deeply touched. Nancy was born and raised in Saginaw, Mi, graduated from Arthur Hill High School, and earned an RN nursing degree from St. Luke’s in Chicago.  She was the glue that held our family together, a caregiver of all and one amazingly marvelous lady.  She made herself a part of everyone else’s world and did “whatever worked” for them. She was married to Bob Hayes for over 25 years and during that time they raised a family of six children. Her children grew up with an at-home Mom who was always there for them, guiding them, loving them and nursing them through broken bones, illness, and heartache. This love extended to her grandchildren who benefited from a grandma fully involved in their lives, spending quality time together. No one was as selfless, nurturing and loving as this Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. There are so many good and loving memories. She opened her heart and home to her children’s friends, many who considered her their second Mom. She took pride in her everyday tasks and caring for others. She loved helping us all out with our routine chores of cleaning, laundry and window washing. She was the best hand holder, best pie maker, best advice giver, best cook, best Mom and friend, best Grandma and Great Grandma.  Even during this most difficult last year her care and concern for others rose above her own pain and limitations.  She would tell us to do “whatever works” and provide counsel without complaint of her own.  She loved to read, listen to public radio and watch public television.  She always had cartoons from the New Yorker on her refrigerator, which usually made us laugh more at her than the cartoon. There are no words, just the shared love for this exceptional woman, to express how much we will cherish her memory and miss her presence in our lives.  The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society.  Please join us in a Sharing Celebration of Nancy’s life on Saturday, July 25th at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00pm with a sharing celebration service beginning at 3:00pm.  

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