Jean M. Stafford

It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of Jean Marie Stafford, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, who left us on August 4, 2024. Born on December 27, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, Jean was a woman who defined love, kindness, and compassion, which she selflessly shared throughout her 82 years.

Jean was an alum of St. Mary’s High School in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Jean will be remembered as a remarkable woman of patience and unrelenting strength. She was a quiet beauty; inside and out. A rare and beautiful flower. An angel here on earth and now in heaven.

She was a gardener extraordinaire. Her gardens were a symphony of beautiful colors and varieties. Flowers were her friends – they bloomed for her. And, she knew the names of each variety and species.

A master quilter, mom created a mosaic of beautiful colors, shapes and textures. She created a unique and special quilt for each of her children and grandchildren – and many others. She won awards and her unique talent was awed by her colleagues. Especially those in the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters – of which she belonged to for more than 20 years. She inspired others as she taught students while working with her beloved Swiss Bernina sewing machine (only the best!).

Her crowning glory was time spent with her grandchildren. She treated them each as though they were her favorite. She marveled at their talents in music, sports and distinct personalities.

She shared her life with her beloved husband, Harold D. Stafford. They recently celebrated sixty-one years of marriage just prior to his passing in April 2024. She is survived by her daughter Ann Marie Stafford and Ann Marie’s children; Bradley Pischea, Mitchell Pischea, and Emma Pischea, Keith’s son Aaron (Katy) Stafford, and Richard’s widow; Marcella Stafford and her children, Vladimir Stafford, Natya (Daniel) Garcia, and Abigail Stafford. Jean is also survived by her brother Jim (Gail) Smale and sister Jan Batson. She will be dearly missed by her whole family.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Harold, sons, Richard J. Stafford and Keith A. Stafford, her brother John Smale, as well as her parents, Howard and Elizabeth Smale.

Visitation will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 205 E. Middle Street, Williamston, MI, on Thursday, August 8th, from 4:00 pm to 6:30pm. A short service will be held from 6 to 6:30 pm

There will be a private family burial on Friday, August 9th, at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jean’s name to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.