Jacquelyn Curran

The foundation of her family, Jacquelyn Curran was lovingly devoted to her faith and family. A dedicated woman with a class all her own, she was foremost a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a wonderful friend to many. The memories Jacquelyn leaves behind will be held close in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

The onset of the Great Depression was merely the beginning of hardship for many within the U.S., but for Floyd and Marian Stocum, the birth of their second child on November 30, 1929 made their days brighter and their hearts more thankful for what they did have.

Jacquelyn grew up alongside her sister Patricia in Detroit and other children whose families had immigrated to the area from various countries. She enjoyed a childhood typical for the times because her father, a school teacher who had summers off, the family spent every summer camping throughout Michigan. She attended and graduated from Cooley High School, was a majorette in her high school band and attended many high school football games with her father as he served as the head football coach at Hamtramck High School.

Just a few years following high school, Jacquelyn married her sweetheart, John Curran on December 17, 1949 -- a match made in heaven that lasted 50 years. Together they raised and were blessed with five wonderful children. Lawrence, Colleen, Lee Ann, Jeffrey, and Terrie made their lives complete. Jacquelyn made a good home for John and the kids, and supported each of them in all their endeavors. Through each of her children's activities and school events, Jacquelyn was right on their side supporting them all the way, especially when it came to attending many of their hockey games.

Many treasured memories were made as a family over the years. Early in their marriage and family life, they camped often in the Higgins Lake area with friends. Later years Floyd and Marian purchased a summer home on Cedar Lake in the Oscoda, Michigan area and John, Jacquelyn and their children made many summer memories there.

Skiing was a big part of the family time together at Boyne Mountain and trips out west. In 1969, John and Jacquelyn purchased a condo at the foot of Boyne Mountain and though Jacquelyn skied a little less, she always had great burgers prepared for everyone when they came in for lunch. The condo was always filled with lots of friends and kids and most holidays were spent there.

In 1974, Jacquelyn and John built a home at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL. They began spending the winters there, and their family visited often to enjoy some of the winter sunshine as well. When her grandchildren came to visit them at Ocean Reef during Easter break, Jacquelyn loved it when they decorated her golf cart for the Easter parade, and it made for such a cherished time she never forgot. Ocean Reef Club and the years there will always be a special place for the Curran family.

Jacquelyn was a longtime member of St. Anselm Catholic Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan and St. Justin's in Key Largo, Florida, never missing a Sunday Mass. She was also a member of the Birmingham County Club, Card Sound Country Club, Ocean Reef Yacht Club and was an avid bridge player to the end. While at Ocean Reef and a member of the Ocean Reef Yacht Club, she and John took numerous boat trips and they became quite active in the Ocean Reef community. They truly loved the area and made numerous friends while residing there.

In Jacquelyn's later years, reading became a favorite pastime she enjoyed. She liked watching television, and did so often until the early morning hours. One of her prized possessions was her car. She loved driving, whether it was to see her kids, shopping, or running errands. Just an example of Jacquelyn's easy going nature, she simply went with the flow of things, and not much ever got her too riled up. Jacquelyn carried herself with grace, and in all ways set an example of respect and dignity for her children and grandchildren to live by. She wasn't one to use foul language when expressing herself, but instead often used the phrase, "Oh swear words!"

Family was everything to Jacquelyn. She was the well respected matriarch of her family, even into her extended family. Her support and encouragement of those she loved held no bounds. In them she found her greatest joy and she leaves lasting memories to be treasured in the days to come. Her legacy lives on as loving thoughts of her bring warm smiles, and with memories to be forever cherished, she will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

At the age of 83, Jacquelyn L. Curran passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, June 2, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, John and sister Patricia Coleman, and was the beloved mother of Lawrence (Linda), Colleen, Lee Ann (Michael) O’Brien, Jeffrey, and Terrie (Eric) James; the loving grandmother of nine, and great-grandmother of five. Jacquelyn's family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-8 PM with a 7:00 PM Rosary at the Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (between Merriman and Middlebelt). The Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, June 7, 2013, 11:00 AM (in state from 10:00 AM) at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 17650 W. Outer Drive in Dearborn Heights. Entombment in St. Hedwig Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Arbor Hospice or Ocean Reef Medical Center. To sign her online guest book, and to share a memory, please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com.