Jeanette M. Murrish

Jeanette M. Murrish

Age 86, of Northville, passed away on August 12, 2021. She was born December 28, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York; daughter of Fred R. and Alma V. (nee Allen) Mayer. She graduated from Richmond Hill High School in New York City, NY in 1952 and received her bachelor’s degree in 1956 from Albright College in Pennsylvania. Jan was united in marriage to Archie J. Murrish on September 14, 1957; they spent over 56 years lovingly devoted to one another as husband and wife.  Jan worked as a stewardess with United Airlines for 1½ years until she married Archie after meeting him on a flight. She took on her most cherished job as a mom when her first child was born.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Northville for the last 5 years, and an active member of United Methodist churches in Hammond, IN and Kalamazoo, MI for nearly 60 years prior. Jan sang in the church choir and participated in United Methodist Women activities. An active volunteer with the church quilting club, she contributed to crafting unique quilts for children in need. She was involved with the Prime Timers, where she and Archie often planned group trips.

Jan and Archie travelled extensively in the US and all over the world, enriching their lives with culture and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Jan enjoyed needlework and sewing, creating most of her children’s clothing while they were growing up, and sewing doll clothes for her daughters, granddaughters and fundraisers. An avid gardener who enjoyed beautiful roses, she spent hours tending her flower gardens and never had an annual or perennial out of place. Multiple cookies and baked goods were staples in the Murrish home because of Jan’s passion for baking, and her annual box of many kinds of Christmas cookies made her children popular with their college roommates. She was a 25 Year Club member of the Ladies’ Library Association in Kalamazoo.

Jan is survived by her loving children, Carol (John) Zinser, Dale (Cheryl) Murrish, Diane Bodalski, and Linda Murrish, MD; her grandchildren, Heather (Chris) Warnick, Brian Zinser, Mike (Abby) Murrish, Kayla (David) Toney, Mark Bodalski, Paul Bodalski, Elizabeth Bodalski, Margaret Bodalski, Meagan Lewis, and Stephen Lewis; and her great-grandchildren, Calvin, Phoebe, Tyler, Lydia, and Peter. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Carolyn Peterson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 1pm until 2pm, with the funeral service beginning at 2pm at the First United Methodist Church of Northville, 777 West 8 Mile Road, Northville. A graveside service will be held Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 11am at Central Cemetery, 7719 South Westnedge Ave., Portage, MI 49002.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Music Ministry at either the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo or the First United Methodist Church of Northville, or a charity of your choice.