Marie Elizabeth Lovegrove

LOVEGROVE, Marie Elizabeth died peacefully in her sleep at her residence in Swartz Creek. She was 94 years old. Marie was born October 3, 1911, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. She moved to Flint at a young age. Marie graduated in the first class of the new Northern High School in Flint. She married the late George Roy Lovegrove in 1931 and had two sons and a daughter. Jack (George Roy Lovegrove, Jr.), her first son, preceded her in 1994. Bob (Robert H. Lovegrove, MD) and Janet (Janet B. Hodge, RN) survive their mother. Marie lived in Swartz Creek for over 60 years. During the course of that time she witnessed many changes. In 1943, she and her husband, Roy opened the Five and Dime Store on the north side of Miller Road, next to the original Fortino Market. With their hard work, the business outgrew the small store and they built a new modern Ben Franklin Store on the south side of Miller Road, now occupied by the Assenmacher Cycling Center. Marie worked with her husband many years until their retiring and selling of the business. She continued to work with her son, Jack, in Lovegroves Cake and Candy Center giving candy demonstrations. She gave these demonstrations to many organizations around the area. She was very active with the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, having served a term as President of the Camp of Fairwinds Girl Scout Council. Marie was an accomplished artist and enjoyed painting with oils and has many of her signed works passed along to her friends and hanging in her home. She had taken many instructional courses and often painted at home with other artists. She played piano and the organ and enjoyed playing for her own enjoyment and church services. She also enjoyed taking on the family in card games. Her late husband, Roy, collected antique automobiles. Quite often she could be seen riding around town in one of these Model Ts. In her late years, she summered on the beach at the City Park in East Tawas, Michigan. She loved walking on the beach and feeding the seagulls with her dog 'Maggie always close at her side. Surviving are: her son, Bob and wife, Sandra of Darien, Connecticut; and her daughter Janet of Swartz Creek. Her grandchildren include: Jacks two daughters, Brenda and Cindy; Bobs four sons, Craig, Brian, Daniel and Andrew; and Janets daughter and three sons, Tina, Roy, the late Ben Hodge, and Jeff. She leaves thirteen great-grandchildren. Marie donated many photos and artifacts of Swartz Creek to the Historical Society. She was a member of the United in Christ Lutheran Church and generously contributed to its future. The family would ask that any donations (in lieu of flowers) be made to any of her favorite charities, which include; The Salvation Army, The Red Cross, The St. Judes Hospital, and the Carriage House. The family greatly appreciated the loving care extended by her caregivers; Regina, Serena, Sharon, and the many others of the TLC Adult Companion Inc. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, January 16, 2006 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek with Pastor Gilbert Mabry officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Friends may share an online condolence or post a tribute at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com