Alta Jean Dickinson

DICKINSON, Mrs. Alta Jean Flanagan
Kalamazoo, MI Passed away peacefully on May 1, 2009 in Portage, MI. Born August 26, 1918 to Alta Dease and Ralph Flanagan of Detroit. The eldest of five, Jean grew up in Redford, Mich., where she enjoyed literature, languages and sports. She graduated from Redford High School and went on to two years of business school, followed by a brief career as a secretary and later a bookkeeper for her husband's business. Jean met Jerry, the love of her life, at a community dance in East Tawas. They were married in secret on August 27, 1938. Following Jerry's return from service in World War II, they lived in Bay Village and Kalamazoo, Mich., where they raised their sons Tom and John, and daughter Carol. Jean cared deeply about children, and throughout her life young people held a special place in her heart. She took child development classes at Western Michigan University, taught for a short time at a Kalamazoo preschool, led scout troops, and inspired and supported the education of her children and grandchildren with enthusiasm. Jean had a profound sense of curiosity about the world, a zest for lively conversation, and a playful nature that often made her the life of the party. She loved to bring her family together, celebrating summer with a huckleberry pie at the family cottage in Oscoda. She had a deep-rooted sense of fun -- from April Fool's Day tricks to whipped-cream fights in the kitchen. Her thoughtful, humorous spirit has been passed on to her children and grandchildren, along with her love for the natural world. She will be sorely missed, as a sister, a mother, a grandmother, and a friend, who left those she met, and the places she loved, better off for having known her. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard Flanagan, sister Betty Watkins, husband Jerold Dickinson, and several dear cousins and friends. She is survived by her sister Beatrice Flanagan, brother Robert Flanagan, sons Thomas Dianne and John Dickinson Sally Denman, daughter Carol Schaus Richard, grandchildren Jennifer Henderson Jere, Amy Murphy Kevin and Carrie Cohen Paulie, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be held at 11:00 Friday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 7028 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will take place at a later date. Memorial gifts may be given to Hospice of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com . 343-1508.