Jean Girard

Girard, Jean S. Portage Passed peacefully from this life Sunday July 18, 2021 at New Friends Vibrant Living Care Facility where she was a resident. Jean was born April 22, 1925 in Detroit, the daughter of Stephen & Marie (Saad) Yessian. Upon graduation from Catholic High School with honors shew went on to train as an Air Traffic controller and received her Federal License in 1945. She then was employed by Northwest Airlines in Detroit as a controller for the maiden flights from Detroit to Minneapolis where she met the love of her life, Roy (Bud) Girard. On May 25, 1949 they married in Grosse Point and moved to Kalamazoo where they built their home and raised their family. They were married for 70 years until the death of Roy (Bud) in May, 2018. Jean is survived by her children, Kristine Jackson of Traverse City, Wayne (Catherine) Girard of Rochester Hills, Michael (Wendy) Girard of Schaumburg, IL; five grandchildren: Sarah Jackson, Jennifer Girard, Amanda (Brenden) Dodsworth, Jason and Bryan Girard; one Great-Grandchild: Avery Dodsworth. Friends may visit with the family at St. Monica Catholic Church starting at 10:30 AM on Monday August 16, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated following at 10:30 AM. Interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jean's honor may be directed to St. Monica Church and Hospice of Southwest Michigan in Kalamazoo.