Georgianna Monette

Georgianna Monette was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother who was strong in her faith and held tight to her family. There is nothing she wouldn't do for her loved ones, and she gave her all to her family by living her life in the service of others. Although World War I was taking place overseas, George Schroeder and Anna Knudson were focused on a happier event, the birth of their first child. Georgianna was born on March 20, 1915 in Muskegon, Michigan. She was the oldest of five children and grew up with her brothers Bernard and George, and sisters Gloria and Irma. The family attended St. Johns Evangelical and Reformed Church and had a strong faith in the Lord. Georgianna attended Muskegon High School where she was focused on her studies. She worked after school doing domestic work for another family to earn money to help with expenses, always providing an extra hand to take care of the family. She soon met Donald Ashley, and the two became inseparable high school sweethearts. After graduating in 1933, the happy couple eloped to Angola, Indiana and were married that same year. Soon after tying the knot, the couple became parents as well, with the births of their children: Donald in 1934, H. Bernard in 1936, Georgianna in 1938, David in 1940, Thomas in 1943, and William in 1945. Georgianna was an amazing mother to her six children, and raised them to be kind and caring individuals. She made sure they had a faith in the Lord as she did, as the family attended St. Johns Church while living in downtown Muskegon on Isabella Avenue. Due to her husband's health issues, Georgianna was on her own in raising the children for over 11 years. She was up to the challenge, though, and made sure her children had the best life possible. She worked at Houle Cleaners, not shying away from hard work. Georgianna would do anything to see that her family was well cared for. Sadly, her marriage to Donald ended in divorce, but Georgianna would persevere. She became a single mom and was a hero to her children, raising them all to be successful adults and caring people. Georgianna was not meant to be alone forever. She met Ernest Ward at a social dance class at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. He was a retired Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer who had been in charge of the Coast Guard Station in Muskegon. It was love at first sight for the couple, and they were married in 1956 They had a happy marriage that continued for over 32 years. Ernie then worked as the manager of the Glenside Gardens apartments and they eventually built a lovely home on Winchester Drive across the street from the apartment complex. Soon the couple had a beautiful daughter as well, Susan, in 1958. They were a very close family and enjoyed many fun camping trips together. When the Ashley children grew and married they got together all the time for birthdays, potluck dinners and picnics. Their home was the center for the whole family. Georgianna loved being a mother, and later a grandmother. She was very involved in her children's activities, serving on the PTA and volunteering as a crossing guard. She was also very strong in her faith and was active at church. When St. Johns merged with and became part of McGraft Congregational Church, she served as a Sunday school teacher and chairman of the Bell Tower Fund. She regularly read the scriptures and prayed on her knees every night before going to bed. She and Ernie loved to go dancing and never missed watching Lawrence Welk on TV. They liked to play cards with the family, and Georgianna was a member of several card clubs, too. Georgianna was an amazing baker and also loved knitting and crocheting things for her family and friends. As her children grew older, Georgianna and Ernie eventually moved to a smaller home on Montague just a few blocks away. Unfortunately, Ernie was stricken with cancer, and Georgianna took good care of him until he died in 1988. Although this was very difficult for Georgianna, she remained independent and lived on her own. She was the type of person who could always look on the bright side and believed that the Lord would see her through any rough patch. In 1990 she was surprised when Max Monette, her sweetheart when they were teenagers, knocked on her door. Max had recently lost his wife, and Georgianna was able to help him through this tough time since she had lost her husband as well. They connected again immediately and were married in 1991. They had lots of fun together, just as they had when they were kids in school. They spent winter months at his Florida home, liked going fishing together and spending time with both of their families and their many friends. Unfortunately, Max died of a sudden heart attack after only 18 wonderful months of marriage. Again, Georgianna kept going and remained active at church and did volunteer work at the hospital. She became active in the Red Hat Society and became the Queen Mum of that group. Georgianna could handle any situation, and always remained a strong and happy woman. Eventually, her years began to take their toll and she grew weaker in body, but never in spirit or in her faith. She died peacefully at the VNS Hospice House on December 20, 2008 surrounded by her loving family. Georgianna went through her life with the Lord at her side, always seeing to it that her loved ones had everything she could give them. She will be so deeply missed. Surviving are her three sons, David (Marcia) Ashley, Thomas (Joanne) Ashley, William (Candy) Ashley, all of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Georgianna (Connell) Wittkopp of Powell, OH and Susan (Alvin) Marr of Chicago, IL; several stepchildren; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren & great great grandchildren; 2 daughters-in-law, Mary Ashley and Linda Ashley. She was preceded in death by her 3 husbands, Donald Ashley, Ernest Ward and Max Monette; 2 sons, Donald Ashley, H. Bernard Walter "Bob" Ashley and her brothers and sisters. Visitation will take place on Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and 1 hour prior to the service on Tuesday at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. Services will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 11:00 AM at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church with Rev. Dr. Gerald Wahr officiating. After a luncheon following the service interment will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.