ANNETTE YARED STEIN, age 67, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at the Spectrum Health Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids, MI, due to complications following a planned heart procedure in October. She was born in Grand Rapids on July 8, 1952. Mrs. Stein is survived by her beloved husband Donald Stein; her sister Johanna (Patrick) Morrissey and brother David (Joan Primo) Yared; niece Megan Morrissey and nephew Benjamin Yared; numerous cousins; and stepchildren Nikki (Ronnie) French and their children Brenden and Marissa, Jon (Jennifer) Stein and Sam Stein. She was preceded in death by her parents Genevieve and James Yared.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Annette Yared Stein attended Creston High School and Grand Rapids Junior College before completing her undergraduate studies, graduating from Michigan State University in 1973. She also earned a Master of Music Education degree. Annette was an extremely talented, classically trained musician. Highly accomplished, she studied piano and violin from a very young age and played violin in the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony throughout high school. After college, she played violin in the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to her instrumental music accomplishments, Annette studied vocal performance at Michigan State and was trained as a mezzo-soprano. Over the years, she performed vocal recitals at the St. Cecilia Music Society in Grand Rapids, and in several opera and community theatre productions. She also sang for 30 years with the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus.
Mrs. Yared Stein taught music in the Forest Hills School District for 29 years, before retiring in 2005. She loved teaching music to children and is still remembered fondly by countless former students, now adults, who gained their love of music as a result of Annette’s enthusiastic teaching. She was named Music Educator of the Year in 1982 by the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA), recognizing her teaching of music and service to her
profession. Annette was very active on MMEA boards, serving in various positions and as president from 2000 to 2002. She was given the MMEA Award of Merit in 2005 for exemplary service to the MMEA and music education in the State of Michigan.
Enterprising and resourceful, Annette Stein had many interests and hobbies away from music and teaching. She loved decorating and remodeling and was well-known in the paint department at Home Depot. Christmas was another source of delight for Annette, with decorations in exacting detail, and gift-giving beyond generous, particularly to her niece Megan and nephew Benjamin. Most of all, Annette loved the company of family, neighbors and her many friends.
Annette and Don Stein were married exactly 20 years, to the day. Don believes she held on as long as she could to make it to their 20th Anniversary. They were devoted to each other and loved being together, sharing in everything - they were a great team. All of the redecorating and renovating plans Annette hatched were no match for Don’s significant handyman abilities, although she surely tried.
Mrs. Stein was an ardent fan of everything Disney. In spite of never visiting Disney World as a child, she more than made up for it as an adult. Annette and Don made countless pilgrimages to the Magic Kingdom and all its numerous companion parks. If it is truly the “most magical place on earth,” then it’s fair to say Annette was captivated by the magic and found no greater joy than being there. Together, they loved Disney which was a hobby and passion they shared with great gusto and excitement.
Visitation will be Friday, November 22, 2019 at Reyers North Valley Chapel. Visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with memorial service immediately following. Memorial donations may be made to Spectrum Health Foundation/Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center.
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