Jean McNees
August 6th, 1935 - June 1st, 2022
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Jean's Obituary
Jean McNees, 86, of Buchanan, formally of Stevensville, departed her earthly home after a 20-year battle with Alzheimer’s on Wednesday June 1st, at Buchanan Meadows Memory Center.
The family will receive guests from 11am until time of Celebration of Life Services at 12pm on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, Pastors Dean Heisey & Karen Kaiser officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Buchanan Meadows 809 Carroll St. Buchanan, MI 49107 or South Side Christian Church 1329 E Jackson Rd. South Bend, In. 46614. Or the charity of your choice.
Jean was born in Allegan County, MI to the late Perry and Ellen (Kugle) McNees. Jean met her life partner Sandy Snodgrass in January, 1970. They committed their life together April 18, 1970. Jean was a proud graduate of Benton Harbor High School class of 1955. She would bend anyone’s ear talking about the HIGH Stepping BH Band even 50 years after graduating. Jean spent her youth working on the farm and a basket factory to save money to put herself through nursing school her DREAM career. She graduated with the last Registered Nursing class of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. Most of her nursing career she worked in Obstetrics and delivered many babies, some in cars or wheelchairs in elevators. Drs didn’t always make it to the hospital when babies decided to take their first breath of life. Jean had babies named after her and often had women stop her in a store or restaurant remembering the care she gave them years prior at that important time in their life. She worked for 40 years at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor having a STRONG belief that ALL PEOPLE deserved the same health care no matter their stature in life.
In Jean’s early years she used her (McNees) artistic talents to draw nature scenes using charcoal and oil paints. In 1980 she decided bookshelves were too expensive and set out to build her own built-in units; even making drawers. Jean and Sandy started collect clowns, especially Emmett Kelly Junior. They traveled yearly to Frankenmuth MI to see Emmett. In between traveling and clowning around, Jean and Sandy attended and supported the many activities of both of their many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Truly enjoyed watching them mature to adults.
Surviving her are her life partner, Sandy Snodgrass; siblings, Donna (Lynn) Howard of Orfordville, WI; Anita (Bob) Flippo of St Joseph; Dave McNees of Enterprise, AL; Alan (Gloria) McNees of Stevensville. Sandy’s surviving relatives, Shirley Snodgrass of Niles; Dan (Linda) Snodgrass of Galien; Susie (Steve) Manges of South Bend; Greg (Stephanie) Snodgrass of Buchanan; sister-in-law, Deb Snodgrass of South Bend; special friend of over 50 years, Nancy Bailey. Jean was proceeded in death by sister and brother in-law, Linda and Earl Brohman; sisters-in-law, Mary Anne McNees, Judy McNees, and Ray Fulbright; and in-laws, James, David, Jim, and Sherri Snodgrass.
Jean and Sandy enjoyed many wonderful trips together including visits to all the states except North Dakota; a month-long driving trip to Alaska, as well as trips to Kenya, Africa, and Tahiti. Jean’s GREATEST JOY was taking her 35 mm camera with her variety of lenses; and capture nature or speeding to Lake Michigan when a storm was approaching or going to the pier in St. Joseph to capture frozen formations in winter. After Jean retired, she decided it was time to organize all her photos and put them in photo books. She put together a photo album for each of her siblings of their family throughout the years. Jean grew up a Michigan fan but when Jean and Sandy started attending Notre Dame women’s basketball games she converted to a part- time ND fan.
In 2000, Jean and Sandy found Southside Christian Church in South Bend. An open and affirming church that accepts all people wherever they are on their religious journey. After a couple of years, Jean was asked to serve as a Deacon which she truly enjoyed. Even after her term was completed, she continued to help with Deacon duties as her memory allowed and received Deacon Emeritus Status.
Jean lived 7 years at Buchanan Meadows Memory Center. The family would like to THANK YOU for all your LOVING CARE you provided our Jean. We know she was the type of person you couldn’t help but love. You were loved by many, and will be missed. God bless, rest now, be at peace until we meet.
The family will receive guests from 11am until time of Celebration of Life Services at 12pm on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, Pastors Dean Heisey & Karen Kaiser officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Buchanan Meadows 809 Carroll St. Buchanan, MI 49107 or South Side Christian Church 1329 E Jackson Rd. South Bend, In. 46614. Or the charity of your choice.
Jean was born in Allegan County, MI to the late Perry and Ellen (Kugle) McNees. Jean met her life partner Sandy Snodgrass in January, 1970. They committed their life together April 18, 1970. Jean was a proud graduate of Benton Harbor High School class of 1955. She would bend anyone’s ear talking about the HIGH Stepping BH Band even 50 years after graduating. Jean spent her youth working on the farm and a basket factory to save money to put herself through nursing school her DREAM career. She graduated with the last Registered Nursing class of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. Most of her nursing career she worked in Obstetrics and delivered many babies, some in cars or wheelchairs in elevators. Drs didn’t always make it to the hospital when babies decided to take their first breath of life. Jean had babies named after her and often had women stop her in a store or restaurant remembering the care she gave them years prior at that important time in their life. She worked for 40 years at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor having a STRONG belief that ALL PEOPLE deserved the same health care no matter their stature in life.
In Jean’s early years she used her (McNees) artistic talents to draw nature scenes using charcoal and oil paints. In 1980 she decided bookshelves were too expensive and set out to build her own built-in units; even making drawers. Jean and Sandy started collect clowns, especially Emmett Kelly Junior. They traveled yearly to Frankenmuth MI to see Emmett. In between traveling and clowning around, Jean and Sandy attended and supported the many activities of both of their many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Truly enjoyed watching them mature to adults.
Surviving her are her life partner, Sandy Snodgrass; siblings, Donna (Lynn) Howard of Orfordville, WI; Anita (Bob) Flippo of St Joseph; Dave McNees of Enterprise, AL; Alan (Gloria) McNees of Stevensville. Sandy’s surviving relatives, Shirley Snodgrass of Niles; Dan (Linda) Snodgrass of Galien; Susie (Steve) Manges of South Bend; Greg (Stephanie) Snodgrass of Buchanan; sister-in-law, Deb Snodgrass of South Bend; special friend of over 50 years, Nancy Bailey. Jean was proceeded in death by sister and brother in-law, Linda and Earl Brohman; sisters-in-law, Mary Anne McNees, Judy McNees, and Ray Fulbright; and in-laws, James, David, Jim, and Sherri Snodgrass.
Jean and Sandy enjoyed many wonderful trips together including visits to all the states except North Dakota; a month-long driving trip to Alaska, as well as trips to Kenya, Africa, and Tahiti. Jean’s GREATEST JOY was taking her 35 mm camera with her variety of lenses; and capture nature or speeding to Lake Michigan when a storm was approaching or going to the pier in St. Joseph to capture frozen formations in winter. After Jean retired, she decided it was time to organize all her photos and put them in photo books. She put together a photo album for each of her siblings of their family throughout the years. Jean grew up a Michigan fan but when Jean and Sandy started attending Notre Dame women’s basketball games she converted to a part- time ND fan.
In 2000, Jean and Sandy found Southside Christian Church in South Bend. An open and affirming church that accepts all people wherever they are on their religious journey. After a couple of years, Jean was asked to serve as a Deacon which she truly enjoyed. Even after her term was completed, she continued to help with Deacon duties as her memory allowed and received Deacon Emeritus Status.
Jean lived 7 years at Buchanan Meadows Memory Center. The family would like to THANK YOU for all your LOVING CARE you provided our Jean. We know she was the type of person you couldn’t help but love. You were loved by many, and will be missed. God bless, rest now, be at peace until we meet.
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