Jean Ballantine Ironside

Jean Ballantine Ironside, age 79 of Hastings, died Tuesday December 4, 2007 at Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. Jean was born June 6, 1928 in Bay City Michigan, the daughter of Charles and Florence (Manning) Ballantine. She graduated from St.Mary's in Bay City and then graduated from Mercy College of Nursing in 1949. Jean married Gordon A. Ironside Jr. August 4, 1951 in Bay City Michigan, they moved to Hastings in 1952. She was a registered nurse for Pennock Hospital Intensive Care Unit for many years and retired in 1986. Jean was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, member of the University of Michigan Victor's Club, Pennock Hospital Guild 39 and was a Bluebird/Camp fire leader. Jean enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, spending time at Gun Lake, and especially being a grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents. Jean is survived by her husband of 56 years, Gordon A. Ironside Jr., her daughters, Ann (Larry) Ainslie of Bloomfield Hills,Mi., Mary Ironside of Bloomfield Hills, Mi., Sarah (Bruce) Freiberg of Glendale, Arizona, and a son, Gordon Ironside III of Middleville, her beloved grandchildren, Thomas (Melissa)Ainslie, Elizabeth Ainslie both of Key Biscayne, Fl., James Ironside Young of Bloomfield Hills, Mi., Audrey Ironside of Caledonia, Gordon Ironside IV of Caledonia, her sisters, Mary (Molly) Remski of Plymouth, Mi., Ann Lieving of Sterling Heights, several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8pm with a Rosary at 4:00pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 11:00am at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Fr. Alfred J. Russell Celebrant, burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings. Memorials can be made to Clark Retirement Community, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association or Charity of One' Choice. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).