Marian Elizabeth Geary

09/26/1919

02/14/2021

Memorial Contributions

 Francis J. Geary Scholarship Fund

c/o Cathedral Square

360 S. Division Ave.

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

or

 Catholic Junior College Alumni

Scholarship Fund at Aquinas College

Foundation Office

1607 Robinson Rd. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49506-9901

 or

Benevolent Fund Endowment

at the Clark Foundation

1551 Franklin SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Marian E. Geary, age 101, died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at Clark Retirement Community, where she resided after many years at 1448 Johnston St., Grand Rapids. Marian was born on September 26, 1919, to Edward and Rose (Thome) Voss. She is survived by her children Patrick (Patricia) Geary of Grand Rapids, Timothy (Alma) Geary of Windsor, Ontario, Michael (Joan) Geary of Mequon, Wisconsin, Sr. Maureen Geary, OP, of Grand Rapids, Sheila Geary of Pontiac, and Kevin Geary of Grand Rapids, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, her sister Jeanne DeLaney of Traverse City, and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, their infant son, Joseph, her brothers Edward Voss and Robert Voss, and sisters Harriet Gietzen Malone and Eleanor Skory. Marian lived a long and fruitful life. She was a devoted wife and mother and a treasured daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved travel, dancing, visiting with friends and rose gardening and she radiated gentle kindness, generosity of spirit and loving acceptance. Marian’s long life bears testimony to her faith, resilience, patient endurance of challenges and ready appreciation of joy. Her death on Valentine’s Day was fitting for one who loved generously and was deeply loved by her family and many friends. She graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1937 and attended Catholic Junior College (now Aquinas College) from 1937-38. She and Frank raised six children who give thanks every day for the mom and dad with whom they were blessed. Marian served her faith community at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in many ways beginning in 1955, including in the Tuesday morning prayer group, the Liturgical Committee, Stephen Ministry, the Women’s Guild, the Sunday choir and Resurrection choir, RCIA, CCD and as an elementary school tutor. Marian worked for many years as a Teacher’s Aide in the Grand Rapids Public School system, serving children in special education. She was a strong supporter of PFLAG and was devoted to and lived well her rich Catholic faith and the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching. The family would like to thank the staff at Clark Retirement Community for their loving care of our Mom. We are indeed grateful for ALL who loved her and brought her so much joy. Memorials may be made to the Francis J. Geary Scholarship Fund, the Catholic Junior College Alumni Scholarship Fund at Aquinas College, or to the Benevolent Fund Endowment at the Clark Foundation. Visitation at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 from 3-6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 24 (in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions). The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth SE, Grand Rapids, at 11 am on Thursday, February 25, with visitation at the church beginning at 10 am (both in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions). The Mass will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/HupovR9MabI. A larger and very joyful Celebration of Life for Marian will be held later in 2021, with information provided in the months to come.

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17 Responses

  1. Such a dear lady and friend to the Zwers family. Will miss that GR connection! But another connection in heaven has been added! Hope to see all the family at the Celebration of Life.

  2. Sister Maureen and Geary family, so sorry for your loss Your mom was a great example to all of how to live a life to be remembered and cherished. God bless you during this time.
    Terry Bocian

  3. Sister Maureen, Pat and the entire Geary Family —- please accept my sincere condolences as you give your Mom back to Our Lord. May she Rest in Eternal Peace. What a full life she lived! God bless. ~ John Czachorski ~

  4. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. Even though we have never met marian, we feel like we have just by looking at her beautiful smile we can tell she has a big heart and cared very much for people. Rest assured that she will be looking out for everyone from heaven. God bless all of you.

  5. Maureen and Family –

    I celebrate Marian’s life here on earth. She was a joy to know and our biggest softball fan. You know my heart is with you as you share the treasured stories of your time together.

  6. Dear Sister Maureen and family,

    We have lost a great Golden Saint from Aquinas and the CJC! We all had so much fun together at Aquinas events. Recent years had been more challenging, yet her sweet and kind disposition was still intact. It does seem so fitting to have her leave her earthly home with those she loved so much tor her heavily home with the Lord she served with love. My prayers for every member of the family.

  7. Marian and Frank influenced so many people that the world lost a great leader and model. Her smile, personality and LOVE made everyone who knew her feel better. The world is a better place because of her.

  8. I always considered Marian my grandmother. She was the sweetest and kindest soul and I could always go to her for some calm and love. She was always happy to see me and always willing to listen to me when I needed someone to talk to. I miss her everyday and there won’t be a day that goes by that I do not think about her. She was so so loved.

  9. Praying for all Geary’s at this sad but also joyful time- may we all live as did she. Peacebe with you!

  10. It has been decades since we have chatted with the Geary Family. The Collins Family shares your pain in the loss of your mom. Great memories of playing in the neighborhood and having a pb&j at lunch at your house so we could go back to baseball in the back yard. Your mom treated us like one of the family and made sure we followed the rules. An awesome neighbor hood to grow up in and your mom and dad were a big part of it. Your mom will be missed here but is enjoying a great reunion in heaven. Our prayers are with you all today, Sincerely Bill, Jackie, Joan Collins

  11. Pat, Sister Maureen and all the Geary family I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother and grandmother was a a true example of what it means to live a life of faith, love and kindness. I trust she rests in peace and deep in all your hearts.

  12. Sandy and I offer our Sympathy and Prayers to the Geary family. We know Marian lived a long and fruitful life and was a blessing to all whom she knew. Her love and care for others was evident in her greeting. She must be enjoying her eternal award for all the good she has done in this world.

  13. Mrs. Greary did a great job raising her kids, and she was always very kind to the friends of her kids. She was a wonderful Lady.

  14. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Sheila, and your family during this special time….I know from experience that it’s hard to have your mom pass into God’s care…. Much love, XO =:)

  15. Sr. Maureen, Tim and all the Geary family,
    May you be surrounded by love and comforted by warm memories of your wonderful mom. She was an amazing, gentle woman and her strength and love continues in each of you. I hold you close in prayer.

  16. Dearest Pat, Mike, Tim, S. Maureen, Sheila and Kevin, I Just participated in your Mom’s Mass of Resurrection. Fr. Lenny’s words resonated with my memories of Marian. The list of activities you noted in the obituary is a standard that only Mrs. Geary could set and thankfully for the rest of us with fragile egos, it did take her 101 years. How she cherished you and others was so amazing. How you cherished and loved your Mom to her passing is truly a tribute to her legacy. I’m grateful for the generous time she gave to my family and personally to me. I am also grateful that I can say I know each of you in ways that follow in your Mom’s admirable way. God is blessing you and holding you in that almighty palm of comfort! Hope she doesn’t mind but my son, Joseph, and I are contributing to planting trees. Mrs. Geary would appreciate the care of Earth.

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