Ann Sweeney aged 68 died unexpectedly at her home in Canadian Lakes on March 1 2012 from a pulmonary embolism likely related to her late-state lung cancer. Ann was raised in Casnovia the village north of Grand Rapids. If questioned about her small-town origins the light in her green eyes would brighten and she would respond Casnovia is famous for its beautiful women. Her surviving husband Joe would agree. On their first date she declared You can run as far and as fast as you want but someday you will marry me. Joe made sure to run slowly enough for Ann to catch him. They were married for forty-five years and she died in his arms. While Ann was physically a beautiful person her beauty in character intelligence and capacity to love and be loved were her more outstanding attributes. She was a high school English teacher gourmet cook voracious reader accomplished seamstress and talented decorator. Something in her person created warmth and an implicit invitation to stay and visit in every place she called home from married student housing at Central Michigan University in the 60s to low rent apartments in Atlanta in the 70s when her husband attended law school to her former home on Cambridge Boulevard in East Grand Rapids. Her legacy is four children all of them good citizens and persons of great character: Kathryn Maureen Bridget and Mark. Maureen and her husband Steve Zutovsky perpetuate that legacy with the gift of Anns two grandchildren Alex and Allison. Anns mother Kathryn Morton survives her as does her sister Terry Klein. Anns father Russell Morton and her brother Scott predeceased her. Her family and friends will celebrate a funeral mass at St. Stephen Catholic Church 750 Gladstone SE in East Grand Rapids on March 5 at with a reception to follow. Her family will welcome visitations at OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Chapel 3980 Cascade Road S.E., in Grand Rapids from 4-7 PM on March 4. Gifts to St. Marys Health Center 250 Cherry Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49503 for the Lacks Cancer Center will be appreciated in lieu of flowers. Guests who require lodging are encouraged to register at the Clarion Inn & Suites 4981 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids Phone (616)956-9304.
