Elizabeth Green

GREEN, Elizabeth Jean passed away on 4/24/16 peacefully at home, exactly how she wanted it. By the way, no one ever called her Elizabeth! Jean was born in Flint on 11/29/29 and graduated as a Flint Central Indian in 1947. In 1950 she eloped and was married to her beloved husband, Kenneth M. Green and together had three fine sons; Jim Mike & Bill. Jeannie attended MSU. And, although early in her life, she rooted "Go Blue" and attended many UM football game excursions with Kenny & great friends, she was an avid "Sparty Flintsone". She served as secretary to several Flint school elementary principals. Holy cow - her fingers could fly! Man, could she really type fast! Aside from Kenny, the loves of her life were her 3 boys (Jimmy, Michael & Billy) and their families. She treasured her summers with cottage friends and her kids at Wiggins Lake in Gladwin, MI. She was a stay at home MOM hero, who chose to dedicate tons of quality time at the lake mentoring her 3 "model children" while Kenny stayed home during the week to teach summer school in Flint to make ends meet. Jean Green played many rounds at Gladwin Heights Golf Club where she & her partner, Carolyn Kareus, reigned as ladies golf league champions! Jeannie enjoyed fishing, cooking, golfing, & playing cards. #Thecandylady spent a great deal of her time searching for the elusive #RoyalFlush on nickel poker machines in casinos all over the country. She had great fun for 10 years rooting for her boys at countless high school and college wrestling matches. Although diminutive in stature, she was quick to challenge all who messed with her boys! She was affectionately known as "Ma Green" by countless neighbor & public & Hebrew school kids, Flint Carman & Flint Central wrestlers and Ferris Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity boys. She considered all of them "her kids". Jeannie was a member of the Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood, & she always looked forward to wintering in Safety Harbor, FL & Tucson, AZ with many other Flint snowbirds. She loved spending time with her Flint Central and Flint Southwestern coaches' wives bridge club partners & with her teachers' wives bowling league teammates. She was a social butterfly who thrived while noshing & kibitzing with all of her many friends. She relished attending the many Flint Area School Employees Credit Union functions with Kenny and the other Captains of Industry. Lobster was her dinner of choice & she fancied See's Candy (Nuts & Chews), red licorice & of course her favorite Jelly Bellies. She was an avid cowboy television & game show aficionado. She loved buying lots of frilly dresses for her granddaughters and attending all of grandkid musical and sporting events. She loved animals, she had great passion for collecting Fiesta ware & she got her hair and nails done at Escape Salon right up until the very end. Jeannie Green was one tough cookie. She was a brave & courageous soul, who rose up to overcome many physical challenges & never ever once complained. Jean Green was a compassionate, gentle, kind, sweet, and fun loving, lovely lady, who will be missed by all & forgotten by NONE! She and Kenny are finally together again. Jeannie is survived her son's Jim and wife Peggy (Grand Ledge, MI) and Bill and wife Carmen (Scotts, MI); her grandchildren Rebbeca Struble (& husband Jason; Dorr, MI) and Lindsay Green (Chicago, IL) and grandchildren Gianna Balazs (& husband Rodney; Scotts, MI) and Christopher Porter; as well as 4 great grandchildren; Carson, Colin, Grant & Gabbi. Also surviving are nieces & nephews; Susan Libby (Berkley, CA) Dr. Peter Libby (Boston, MA); Dr Lisa Braun Glazer (Lajolla, CA) & Wendy Braun Daly (Flint, MI).She was predeceased by her devoted husband (of nearly 65 years) Kenny in 2015, son Michael Vann Green in 1995, her parents Leon & Mina Kaplan and her sister Ruthie Braun. Bravo to Rabbi Yisroel Weingarten who helped to spiritually guide us all along the way as he shed great perspective on how to truly celebrate Jeannie's magnificent life. Thanks to Sandy, Amy, and CeCe and the Heartland Hospice crew for being so good at what they do. Kudos to mom's home help care team Angela, Grace, & Lo for their service & dedication to mom. Many thanks to Jeannie's most very special #BFF and primary caregiver, Laurie Heath who has been become a significant part of the entire Green family. Her genuine friendship and heartfelt compassion has brought mom and all of us much joy over the past few years. Laurie is our angel and we couldn't have done it without her! At the family's request there will be a private burial service at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 5240 Calkins Rd. Flint MI 48532 or a charity or casino of your choice. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.