Jean (Tuttle) Enbody

ENBODY - Jean Lorraine (nee Tuttle), age 91, a life long resident of Grand Rapids, passed away January 27, 2011 surrounded by her husband of 69 years, Orval Gerrit Enbody and children, Susan (William) Stelzer of Haslett, MI, Mary (Ted) Havens of Battle Creek, MI, Virginia Enbody of Cambridge, MA, Diane Herrera of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Teresa Enbody of Grand Rapids. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was devoted to her five siblings, Vivian, Ralph, Cary, Virginia, Zoe, all of whom preceded her in death. Jean had the biggest, brightest smile. She loved to dance and in high school taught classmates to dance to the big bands; appeared in floor shows as part of a chorus line - Orv in his '38 Chevy the designated troupe's transport; taught tap to children (and took dance classes into her 80s). She loved the musical theatre; recordings like Bali Hai, 76 Trombones, and Climb Ev'ry Mountain greeted her children at daybreak. She always had time to hear about their school day and lives when they moved on. She loved color; sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren, sometimes a magazine photo being the guide. She graduated to create stunning designs in knit, needlepoint, and hand hooked rugs. She insisted on mistletoe hung at strategic places during the holidays, loved getting dressed up and picnics at the beach. She loved popcorn and hot fudge sundaes with nuts; and more successful with new recipes than keeping the beans from burning. She played weekly bridge and golf with friends, gathered monthly with other couples for Steak Club, volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital and Little Sisters of the Poor, and was active in the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Guild. She had an ironic, somewhat dry Irish wit. Recently, during a Sunday Detroit Lions game, she remarked to her husband, "They must be pretty tired by now." In the days before her death when speech was a struggle, the words "I love you" were not. The depth of her love mirrors the extent of her family's loss. Visitation will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Robert of Newminster, 6477 Ada Dr., Ada, followed by the Mass at 11 a.m. Internment at Graceland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, 2025 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. O'Brien Eggebeen Gerst