The Herald-Palladium, Monday, October 9, 2017, Page A7
Jean Cummings Collingwood Spelman was born in the first century of the world wars, on a snowy night, Jan. 9, 1921 in Centerville, Michigan.
Her mother and father, in some poor choices, including moving their young family to Washington D. C. Jean rectified that by getting back to Michigan after high school.
Raised with her five siblings, Jean reveled in the delights of he District, including annual Easter Egg rolling on the White House lawn and adventures on the Capital Mall. Her father, G. Harris Collingwood, was a professional forester in the Roosevelt administration who later worked as a researcher at the Library of Congress.
Because her family maintained real estate in Michigan, Jean qualified for in-state tuition, allowing her to avoid attending George Washington University and instead attend Michigan Agricultural College (later renamed Michigan State University). A proud Kappa Alpha Theta, Jean graduated with a teaching degree which she used teaching junior high school for several years before retiring to raise their family.
Spending college summers in South Haven, Mich., with her aunt and uncle, Laura and Stanley Johnston, at the Michigan State Experimental Station meant that she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Spelman.
An active member of The First Congregational Church of Saint Joseph, Michigan, for more than 75 years, Jean served in many capacities. She was the first female to give a sermon from the pulpit, first female Deacon of her church as well as serving as Sunday school teacher and in the Martha Society. She was active in Fort Miami Historical Society, recently renamed "The Heritage," serving as president once and as a board member repeatedly.
Jean believed strongly in the power of local history to keep vital the relationships defining who we are as a community. Jean sought to take history out of the static into the dynamic for everyone to access, contribute to and pass on to the next person. Jean particularly reveled in the self-told family stories of people who had invested their lives in Berrien County with joy and dedication.
Jean took particular joy in dinner parties in their home, Christmas Tree hunts on the South Haven Spelman blueberry farm, and enjoyed the community of her friends and family all along the shores of Lake Michigan. She believed strongly in the power of family and of showing up to one's commitments. She especially delighted in hosting dinner parties where people would stay long into the night deep in conversation after enjoying thick steaks from the grill, ratatouille and her rhubarb sabyon with custard sauce.
Jean is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, John "Jack" Henry Spelman; her son John Houston Spelman; and for of her five siblings: Charles Collingwood, Harris "Buddy" Collingwood and Rebecca Collingwood McHale.
Jean is survived by her son, Michael Spelman(Lorie) of Tecumseh; her daughter, Kate Spelman of Seattle, Wash., her daughter-in-law, Rosalie Spelman; her sister, Eloise Prescott (New Hampshire); four terrific grandchildren, Todd Michael Spelman (Grand Rapids), David Spelman (Adrian), Katherine Spelman (Western Springs) and Henry Spelman (Cambridge, England); and two great-granddaughters.
Donations may be made to the "The Heritage" in Jean's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service.
Jean Cummings Collingwood Spelman was born in the first century of the world wars, on a snowy night, Jan. 9, 1921 in Centerville, Michigan.
Her mother and father, in some poor choices, including moving their young family to Washington D. C. Jean rectified that by getting back to Michigan after high school.
Raised with her five siblings, Jean reveled in the delights of he District, including annual Easter Egg rolling on the White House lawn and adventures on the Capital Mall. Her father, G. Harris Collingwood, was a professional forester in the Roosevelt administration who later worked as a researcher at the Library of Congress.
Because her family maintained real estate in Michigan, Jean qualified for in-state tuition, allowing her to avoid attending George Washington University and instead attend Michigan Agricultural College (later renamed Michigan State University). A proud Kappa Alpha Theta, Jean graduated with a teaching degree which she used teaching junior high school for several years before retiring to raise their family.
Spending college summers in South Haven, Mich., with her aunt and uncle, Laura and Stanley Johnston, at the Michigan State Experimental Station meant that she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Spelman.
An active member of The First Congregational Church of Saint Joseph, Michigan, for more than 75 years, Jean served in many capacities. She was the first female to give a sermon from the pulpit, first female Deacon of her church as well as serving as Sunday school teacher and in the Martha Society. She was active in Fort Miami Historical Society, recently renamed "The Heritage," serving as president once and as a board member repeatedly.
Jean believed strongly in the power of local history to keep vital the relationships defining who we are as a community. Jean sought to take history out of the static into the dynamic for everyone to access, contribute to and pass on to the next person. Jean particularly reveled in the self-told family stories of people who had invested their lives in Berrien County with joy and dedication.
Jean took particular joy in dinner parties in their home, Christmas Tree hunts on the South Haven Spelman blueberry farm, and enjoyed the community of her friends and family all along the shores of Lake Michigan. She believed strongly in the power of family and of showing up to one's commitments. She especially delighted in hosting dinner parties where people would stay long into the night deep in conversation after enjoying thick steaks from the grill, ratatouille and her rhubarb sabyon with custard sauce.
Jean is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, John "Jack" Henry Spelman; her son John Houston Spelman; and for of her five siblings: Charles Collingwood, Harris "Buddy" Collingwood and Rebecca Collingwood McHale.
Jean is survived by her son, Michael Spelman(Lorie) of Tecumseh; her daughter, Kate Spelman of Seattle, Wash., her daughter-in-law, Rosalie Spelman; her sister, Eloise Prescott (New Hampshire); four terrific grandchildren, Todd Michael Spelman (Grand Rapids), David Spelman (Adrian), Katherine Spelman (Western Springs) and Henry Spelman (Cambridge, England); and two great-granddaughters.
Donations may be made to the "The Heritage" in Jean's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service.
The Herald-Palladium, Monday, October 9, 2017, Page A7
Jean Cummings Collingwood Spelman was born in the first century of the world wars, on a snowy night, Jan. 9, 1921 in Centerville, Michigan.
Her mother and father, in some poor choices, including moving their young family to Washington D. C. Jean rectified that by getting back to Michigan after high school.
Raised with her five siblings, Jean reveled in the delights of he District, including annual Easter Egg rolling on the White House lawn and adventures on the Capital Mall. Her father, G. Harris Collingwood, was a professional forester in the Roosevelt administration who later worked as a researcher at the Library of Congress.
Because her family maintained real estate in Michigan, Jean qualified for in-state tuition, allowing her to avoid attending George Washington University and instead attend Michigan Agricultural College (later renamed Michigan State University). A proud Kappa Alpha Theta, Jean graduated with a teaching degree which she used teaching junior high school for several years before retiring to raise their family.
Spending college summers in South Haven, Mich., with her aunt and uncle, Laura and Stanley Johnston, at the Michigan State Experimental Station meant that she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Spelman.
An active member of The First Congregational Church of Saint Joseph, Michigan, for more than 75 years, Jean served in many capacities. She was the first female to give a sermon from the pulpit, first female Deacon of her church as well as serving as Sunday school teacher and in the Martha Society. She was active in Fort Miami Historical Society, recently renamed "The Heritage," serving as president once and as a board member repeatedly.
Jean believed strongly in the power of local history to keep vital the relationships defining who we are as a community. Jean sought to take history out of the static into the dynamic for everyone to access, contribute to and pass on to the next person. Jean particularly reveled in the self-told family stories of people who had invested their lives in Berrien County with joy and dedication.
Jean took particular joy in dinner parties in their home, Christmas Tree hunts on the South Haven Spelman blueberry farm, and enjoyed the community of her friends and family all along the shores of Lake Michigan. She believed strongly in the power of family and of showing up to one's commitments. She especially delighted in hosting dinner parties where people would stay long into the night deep in conversation after enjoying thick steaks from the grill, ratatouille and her rhubarb sabyon with custard sauce.
Jean is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, John "Jack" Henry Spelman; her son John Houston Spelman; and for of her five siblings: Charles Collingwood, Harris "Buddy" Collingwood and Rebecca Collingwood McHale.
Jean is survived by her son, Michael Spelman(Lorie) of Tecumseh; her daughter, Kate Spelman of Seattle, Wash., her daughter-in-law, Rosalie Spelman; her sister, Eloise Prescott (New Hampshire); four terrific grandchildren, Todd Michael Spelman (Grand Rapids), David Spelman (Adrian), Katherine Spelman (Western Springs) and Henry Spelman (Cambridge, England); and two great-granddaughters.
Donations may be made to the "The Heritage" in Jean's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service.
Jean Cummings Collingwood Spelman was born in the first century of the world wars, on a snowy night, Jan. 9, 1921 in Centerville, Michigan.
Her mother and father, in some poor choices, including moving their young family to Washington D. C. Jean rectified that by getting back to Michigan after high school.
Raised with her five siblings, Jean reveled in the delights of he District, including annual Easter Egg rolling on the White House lawn and adventures on the Capital Mall. Her father, G. Harris Collingwood, was a professional forester in the Roosevelt administration who later worked as a researcher at the Library of Congress.
Because her family maintained real estate in Michigan, Jean qualified for in-state tuition, allowing her to avoid attending George Washington University and instead attend Michigan Agricultural College (later renamed Michigan State University). A proud Kappa Alpha Theta, Jean graduated with a teaching degree which she used teaching junior high school for several years before retiring to raise their family.
Spending college summers in South Haven, Mich., with her aunt and uncle, Laura and Stanley Johnston, at the Michigan State Experimental Station meant that she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Spelman.
An active member of The First Congregational Church of Saint Joseph, Michigan, for more than 75 years, Jean served in many capacities. She was the first female to give a sermon from the pulpit, first female Deacon of her church as well as serving as Sunday school teacher and in the Martha Society. She was active in Fort Miami Historical Society, recently renamed "The Heritage," serving as president once and as a board member repeatedly.
Jean believed strongly in the power of local history to keep vital the relationships defining who we are as a community. Jean sought to take history out of the static into the dynamic for everyone to access, contribute to and pass on to the next person. Jean particularly reveled in the self-told family stories of people who had invested their lives in Berrien County with joy and dedication.
Jean took particular joy in dinner parties in their home, Christmas Tree hunts on the South Haven Spelman blueberry farm, and enjoyed the community of her friends and family all along the shores of Lake Michigan. She believed strongly in the power of family and of showing up to one's commitments. She especially delighted in hosting dinner parties where people would stay long into the night deep in conversation after enjoying thick steaks from the grill, ratatouille and her rhubarb sabyon with custard sauce.
Jean is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, John "Jack" Henry Spelman; her son John Houston Spelman; and for of her five siblings: Charles Collingwood, Harris "Buddy" Collingwood and Rebecca Collingwood McHale.
Jean is survived by her son, Michael Spelman(Lorie) of Tecumseh; her daughter, Kate Spelman of Seattle, Wash., her daughter-in-law, Rosalie Spelman; her sister, Eloise Prescott (New Hampshire); four terrific grandchildren, Todd Michael Spelman (Grand Rapids), David Spelman (Adrian), Katherine Spelman (Western Springs) and Henry Spelman (Cambridge, England); and two great-granddaughters.
Donations may be made to the "The Heritage" in Jean's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service.
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