Greer, Mary Jacqueline

Mary Jacqueline Greer (nee Murphy) 85 years young, leaves this world in quiet dignity on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at her home,  a poetic ending to a full life.

Mary Jacqueline, “Jackie” to all who knew and loved her, was born on February 11, 1924, in  Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.  Her father, Reginald Murphy, a son of Waterford, Ireland and her mother, Sarah Pendleton, who emigrated from England to Canada during World War II, met, married and raised three beautiful daughters.  The family relocated often, settling finally in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where Reginald became Comptroller of General Motors, Chevrolet Division. 

During a time when it was rare for a woman to attend college, Jackie earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree from Mary Grove College of Music in Detroit.   A gifted soprano, Jackie set her sights on a career in music and was admitted to the Julliard School of Music in New York City.  Jackie lived in Manhattan for five years, making her mark in the Big Apple in the music industry and later began a career in elementary education.

Jackie appeared on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, performing a solo and placing runner-up.    Later, Jackie worked at NBC Radio in Rockefeller Center, living in a brownstone apartment along Manhattan’s Upper Eastside.

Jackie combined her love of music with her love for young children and began a new career as a music teacher in Brooklyn Settlement Schools.  Jackie left the Brooklyn Settlement School to help open the St. David’s Academy, a Catholic Preparatory Academy in Manhattan, later attended by John F. Kennedy, Jr

When she tendered her resignation at St. David’s Preparatory Academy, Jackie told the Principal, who was a Catholic nun, that she was marrying Paul Greer and would be moving to Detroit, Michigan.  Jackie said the Sister looked at her and asked, “You’re going where? Are you sure that’s such a good idea, dear?”  For Jackie, it was a great idea.

Jackie and Paul were a wonderful couple.  Together, they dedicated their lives to their children, friends, and community.   She and Paul built a life in Fremont and where they raised five children, Paul Jr. of Englewood, New Jersey; John, Thomas, and James all of Fremont; Kathleen of Somers, New York.   Jackie’s loving sisters, Marion Sisk of Hilton Head, South Carolina and Lois McLaren of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will miss her terribly but find comfort in a lifetime of memories.

Jackie returned to teaching and joined the St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School in Brunswick, Michigan.  Throughout the years, she and Paul traveled extensively, visiting China, Africa, and many European and South American countries.  Always grateful for the good fortune their hard work yielded, Jackie and Paul contributed to various good works in Fremont’s religious, cultural, and educational institutions.  After Paul’s retirement from his law practice, Jackie and Paul spent their winters in Green Valley, Arizona.

More than anything, they looked forward to spending time with their grandchildren, Tabatha, Chasity, Michael, Kelli, Mitchell, Michele, Maggi.  Often leaving Green Valley, Arizona early, “To get back and see the grandkids.”

Now, Jackie and Paul are once again together – for eternity.

VISITATION : Monday, October 5, 2009 from 5-8 PM at the Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel.  ROSARY SERVICES : Monday, October 5, 2009 at 7:45pm at the funeral home.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL : Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 11:00 am at the All Saints Catholic Church in Fremont.  INTERMENT : Maple Grove Cemetery.  MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS : Fremont Area Community Foundation for the Paul and Jacqueline Greer Scholarship Fund.   Friends may send a condolence or share a memory online with the Greer family at www.crandellfh.com. 

Click here to send a condolence for the Jacqueline Greer Family on-line

I was so sorry to hear about Jackie...I came to know her when we were in the "hags" together...We had gone on a buying trip to Northville for the shop...Jackie drove...On the way home, her horn started honking by it self... We all laughed so hard and kept looking at the other cars like it was their car honking!!!  So funny...She was a great lady...She will be missed....