Obituaries

of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Birmingham / Bloomfield Hills, age 95, died Monday, June 6, at Chelsea Retirement Community.  She was born January 22, 1921 in Mayfield, Michigan, the daughter of Harry R. & Marion (Gibbs) Sargent.   Janet graduated from Traverse City High School in 1937 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from U of M in 1942.  She lived at Martha Cook dorm for 3 years while at U of M, and was an active alumna, attending their 100 year anniversary last October, where she was the oldest alumna present.  After graduating, Janet worked for the Michigan Children's Aid Society in Marquette.  She raised her family while staying on the Board of the Children's Aid Society.  She was active in the United Methodist Church in Birmingham, and spent the last 15 years at Chelsea Retirement Community. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, and very active in choirs throughout the years.  Janet was a bird lover, and enjoyed family vacations at Arbutus Lake.  She was an avid reader, and ran the CRC Book Club.

On October 13, 1945, she married Robert W. Steere, Jr. at the Highland Park Congregational Church, and he preceded her in death on July 15, 2001. Survivors include three daughters, Judith (Emil) Sunley of Bethesda, MD, Mary (David) Budzinski of Chelsea, and Beverly Aird of Waterford;  one son, Robert (Carol) Steere of Springfield, IL; 8 grandchildren, Rachel (Jeremy) Tyson, Gillian (Michael) Erdmann, Neil Sunley, Jamie Aird, Jason (Liza) Aird, Rebecca (John) Pazdziora, Emily (Daniel) Mosher, & Samuel (Elizabeth) Steere; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Edna Sargent of Traverse City, and many nieces & nephews.  She was loved by her children, and a caring friend to all she met.

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 13, 1:30 pm at the Chelsea Retirement Community Main Chapel. A private burial will be at Forest Hills Cemetery in Ann Arbor. Memorial contributions may be made to UMRC Foundation. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.

Please sign Janet's online guestbook, and leave a message or memory. It may take up to 24 hours to post.

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