Jean M (Feuerstein) Chickering

Jean Marie (Feuerstein) Chickering 75 of St. Johns passed away Wednesday morning, September 22, 2021 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing. Jean was born February 14, 1946, in Belding, daughter of Leonard and Geraldine (Laux) Feuerstein. She graduated from Belding High School with the Class of 1964 and went on to graduate from the University of Michigan in 1968.  She later received her Master's Degree in Nursing from Wayne State University in 1986. 

Jean was proud of her career and being a registered nurse was an important part of her identity.  She held a variety of roles during her long professional life.   After graduating from the University of Michigan she worked in hospitals.  Later on, she enjoyed teaching nursing classes at both Ferris State University in Big Rapids and Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba.  She worked as a nursing home administrator before accepting a position with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.  While there she channeled her passion for public health into developing programs dedicated to the prevention and awareness of Breast and Cervical Cancer and later, on Diabetes Prevention and Control.  

She especially enjoyed sharing a cup of coffee and a chat with family, friends, and acquaintances, which earned her a well deserved reputation as an engaging conversationalist and spectacular listener.  She was an intellectually curious individual who enjoyed traveling. Jean spent much time outside. She took great pleasure in mowing and tending the lawn, weeding the gardens, feeding and watching the birds, and taking camping vacations. She also enjoyed volunteer work, sewing and knitting, home improvement projects, and picking elderberries and walnuts from her property to make wine, jams, breads, and more with her dearest John.  She had a deep love of family, especially her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends. Jean is loved and survived by her husband of 48 years, John Chickering, and their daughters, Maria Chickering (Dustin Basil), of Ann Arbor; Nicole Chickering of Grenoble, France; grandchildren, Cora Jean Chickering, and Lucian John Chickering; her siblings, Patricia Twietmeyer, of Comstock Park; John Feuerstein (Connie) and Ronald Feuerstein, all of Belding. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Jim; and a sister, Mary Ann (Feuerstein) Stahlin.

Graveside funeral services will be 4:00 PM, Monday, September 27, 2021, at St. Mary Cemetery, Belding with Father Phil Shangraw officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Foundation, the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research, or to a local food pantry. Envelopes will be available at the service and at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding, where funeral care has been entrusted. 

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