Barbara Jane Grennan

Barbara J. Grennan was born in Muskegon, MI. on June 14, 1930 to Jennings and Dorothy (Brayton) Palmer. The family moved to Washington DC and Detroit where Barbara graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1948. After high school she received a national merit scholarship and was enrolled at the University of Michigan, but had to leave due to serious illness. She moved back to Muskegon, worked at the power company, and eventually met and married the love of her life, Dr. Lawrence E. Grennan. The early years of marriage were marked by the birth of their five children and family moves to Miami Florida, Dallas Texas, Newberry Michigan and Grand Rapids Michigan to complete Lawrence's residency in surgery and specialization in plastic surgery. The family finally settled for good back in Muskegon in 1968.

In addition to being a loving mother raising her five children while supporting her husband's medical career, Barbara led a life of service and was greatly involved many organizations including the Michigan Medical Auxiliary (serving as president), the Greater Muskegon Service League, serving on the board of the Muskegon Big Red Education Fund, the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), serving in a leadership position at Samuel Lutheran Church, and countless others. She was also the Muskegon Chronicle's Mother of the Year in 1988.

She was an avid sports fan enthusiastically supporting her favorite teams, the Michigan Wolverines and the Big Reds of Muskegon High School.

After her husband retired, Barbara and Lawrence enjoyed spending summers at their cabin on Hulbert Lake, near Hulbert in the upper peninsula of Michigan; a practice that Barbara continued after Lawrence passed away in 2004, culminating in her eventual hospice and passing on July 18, 2023 at the lake, her favorite place.

Barbara is survived by her five children: Eileen (Alan) Young, Marcy (Mark) Anzelon, Sheila Cooper, Lawrence (Tina) Grennan, and Daniel Grennan. There are 13 grandchildren: Corey (Veronika) Anzelon, Daniel (Shannon) Anzelon, Todd Anzelon, Melissande (Greg) Deardurff, O'Neill Young, Spencer (Rebecca) Young, Megan (David) Cooper, Ian Cooper; Lawrence and Dillan Grennan; Mason, McKenna, and Barbara Grennan. There are 12 great-grandchildren: Arianna Anzelon, Kara Anzelon; Rowan, Warrick, Seraphine, Lyriel, Marjorie, and Esme Deardurff; Beatrice, Iris, Issac and Boaz Young. She is also survived by her daughter of the heart Amy (Bill) McNamara and their children, her sister of the heart Katherine Mills, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends not listed here.

The memorial will be on Saturday July 29, 2023 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel at Clock Funeral Home, Muskegon, Michigan; with reception following at the family home. The visitation will be Friday July 28, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm at Clock Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest that a tree be planted in her memory or a donation made to the Muskegon Big Red Educational Fund; or do something kind for someone that's not expected, just as Barbara did throughout her life.

Barbara is now reunited with Lawrence, somewhere in time.