Tributes

Grace Marie Callanan, died June 20, 2009 at her “little house in the woods” in Excelsior Township, Kalkaska, Michigan under the auspices of Hospice and in the presence of her daughter and caregiver, Kathleen J. Callanan. Born on July 3, 1914, the daughter of Edward Andrew Kleehammer and Hazel Irene Kelley at New Baltimore, MI, Grace resided in Macomb and Wayne counties prior to moving to Kalkaska county in the mid-1970’s. She was also a winter resident of North Fort Myers, FL, celebrating 33 years as a member of the Windmill Village manufactured home community.Surviving here are daughters Patricia Ann Stanley (Mrs. Robert Alfred Stanley) and Kathleen Joan Callanan and her sister, Sue V. Cardillo (widow of Joseph Cardillo), all of North Fort Myers. Grace was the progenitor of three daughters, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.Preceding her in death is her first husband, John Michael Callanan in 1978; her third daughter, Barbara Elaine Callanan (widow of Mr. John Beyer II) in 1995; her second husband, Richard Virgil Receveur in 1998; as well as her parents and her twin brothers, Edward Casimir Kleehammer and Andrew Francis Kleehammer.She is a life member of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Estero Island Chapter in Fl and Job Winslow Chapter of Traverse City. During 2008-2009, she was the Conservation Chairman for the Estero Island Chapter. She is also a life member of the American Legion, the Windmill Village Hobby Club, and the Windmill Village Mich-Can Club. Her crochet work is widely known by her friends and in 1954 she won 4th prize at the National Crochet Contest in New York City for her lace insertion that had taken first prize at the Michigan State Fair. She truly was a crochet artist and national treasure. She was a member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church of Kalkaska, MI and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Fort Myers, FL.Grace was a mother and grandmother to everybody. Those who knew her say, “I am so sad to lose her as a friend. She encouraged me to keep going. I loved her fighting spirit.” “What a wonderful experience it has been knowing her. She is such a wonderful example of love packaged with unconditional acceptance, patience, humor and warmth.” “Those of us in DAR loved to see Grace, visit with her and just be where she was. I knew her as a beautiful, cheerful and positive person.”Visitation for Grace will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. & from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m. at Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home. The funeral will be on Thursday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church with Father Peter Eke officiating. Internment will be in St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Cemetery.Condolences may be left online at www.wolfeoneill.com.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

Tributes

Grace Marie Callanan

June 3, 1914 - June 24, 2009