Mary Elizabeth (Lemire) Hiaeshutter

January 5, 2023, Mary Elizabeth (LeMire) Hiaeshutter completed her life journey on this earth and started her eternal journey in the presence of our Lord. Born on September 24, 1929, Mary lived with her brothers Harold, George, Auverne, Francis and sister Denise in a small 3 bdrm home in Newaygo MI. Her father, Romeo N. LeMire, and her mother, Elizabeth (Peacock), owned and operated the local drug store in the center of town, (now known as the Muskegon River Inn). Growing up, she play football, baseball and kickball with her brothers and the other neighborhood kids, in the field next door to their home. It made no difference to her if she was wearing a dress. Mary and her 5 siblings had run of the store, the neighborhood and, quite possibly, the town of Newaygo back in those days. So, Romeo and Elizabeth worked hard at raising a family in small town, America. Mary and Denise came to Grand Rapids to attend Mount Mercy Academy in the 1940’s and traveled back and forth to Newaygo on weekends. The girls were chaperoned, of course, by their mother and older brothers during the early years in Grand Rapids. After graduating from “The Mount”, as ma would call it, she attended Aquinas College and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. It was during those college years she met a young man on the ice skating pond at John Ball Park. That pre-destined meeting on ice turned into a lifelong romance with her soul-mate, Edward W. Hiaeshutter. On June 21, 1952, they exchanged wedding vows and began the next chapter in their lives for the next 70+ years. Putting a hold on her educational career and taking that higher calling, she poured her energy and focus into raising a family. She and her husband Edward worked hard at raising a family in small town, America. As the children grew, Ma put her teaching skills to work making sure we all did our Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. She also used her skills in sewing dresses, canning fruit and vegetables, and experimenting with new recipes in the cooking dept., (oh how I hated liver for dinner). In the 70’s, Mary used her gift of teaching, first as a substitute at Coit, Stocking and Sibley elementary schools and then jumped in full-time with the Grand Rapids School District. It was challenging at times, but she loved her kids and she loved her profession as “Teacher”. Our Mother was all about her faith, her family and friends. Mom was an organizer of family trips, family reunions, family holidays and travel to visit family out-of-state. Anything family, she was in on it and good at it too. Our early family years, a simple picnic basket packed with sandwiches, chips, Kool-Aid, and a throw blanket would be all it took to head out to a park for the afternoon. In her retirement years, the folks purchased a cottage on Nichols Lake. The cottage quickly became the family gathering destination and, as expected, many great memories were made there. She took great joy in her grandchildren, being there for them at school events and just watching them grow from their beginnings in life, on into adulthood. Mary loved attending her church on Sundays, a good cup of coffee, one-on-one conversations, a 1000-piece puzzle, tending a flower garden, listening to music (Neil Diamond), travels in the US and abroad, spending girl time with her two daughters, and a good G&T. There never seemed to be a dull moment in Mom’s life, and through it all, she didn’t hang up her gloves on being a teacher. Nope, to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she continued to pass along life lessons and her thoughtful wisdom to each of us. She valued people no matter what walk of life they came from. Even in her waning years, she still smiled through the difficult moments just to let us know she was still here. Yes Mom, after all, you’re still You! Her life partner Ed has been blessed to call her his Wife, her children, to call her Mom. She was so much, to so many people. Her grace, wisdom and giving spirit will truly be missed, yet more so, her infectious, heartwarming smile. She has gone, yet we can still draw from our memories and laugh, with her. Mom, you are but one heartbeat away, till we see you again. We cherish all you gave Us, every day. Love always, Your husband Edward, children: Edward (Angela), Mark (Jane), William (Rose), Jean Dolci (Vito), Richard (Cindy), and Julie Nichols (Jeff), your host of adoring grandchildren & great-grand-children, sister-in-law Connie LeMire and extended LeMire, Hiaeshutter, and Brannick family. A special thank you to our support team of caregivers and Emmanuel Hospice who served as guardian angels over Mom’s care. We love and appreciate you all. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday January 12, 2023 at 11:00 am at Holy Spirit Church where she will repose one hour prior.to the Mass. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Her family will receive visitors on Wednesday January 11, 2023 from 5:00 pm -8:00 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW. A Rosary will be prayed Wednesday at 7:15 pm. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN TIME OF ROSARY In lieu of flowers, Mary recommends sending a donation on her behalf to The Alzheimer’s Association of West Michigan, https://act.alz.org

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Mary Elizabeth (Lemire) Hiaeshutter

September 24, 1929 - January 5, 2023