Jane McBride

Jane McBride was not a woman who wanted accolades for epic gestures, or who sought attention for her great talents and grand work. Rather, she found purpose in the smaller things - working in the home, raising a family, and doing everything to make sure that her loved ones were taken care of. Her heroism was found in glad and uncomplaining service and sacrifice for the people she loved. Forgetting oneself is difficult; Jane not only did so constantly, but found joy in it.

The 1960s were a time of great change in the United States. From the Civil Rights Movement to the Summer of Love, Americans campaigned for great shifts in both the legal system and day-to-day life. Jack and Margaret (Alexis) Harris of Grand Rapids, Michigan, welcomed their third child and only daughter Jane Elizabeth on February 19, 1960, just in time for this decade of social and political turmoil.

Jane grew up on Lamont Avenue NW with her older brothers Bob and Tom. Their father was a painter and their mother worked in the mail room at Michigan Bulb Company, which sold flower bulbs by mail. The family frequently enjoyed trips to their cabin on Brooks Lake. Bob and Tom always took care of their sister even when she wasn’t particularly happy about it. Jane was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at eighteen months old, and at times her brothers would have to hold her down when she didn’t want to take her insulin injections. Jane attended C. A. Frost School and graduated from Kenowa Hills High School in 1978.

That same year, Jane met Eugene McBride Jr. Jane’s mother, Margaret, worked with Gene’s stepgrandma at Michigan Bulb and the two set the kids up. Their first date was dinner at the Ponderosa Steakhouse followed by a visit to the Berlin Fair, where Gene proceeded to blow his next car payment trying to impress Jane. Five months later, on October 6 of 1978, the two were married at Fairview Reformed Church. Their wedding reception was held at a local hall. The honeymoon was delayed a couple of years, but the couple finally enjoyed a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, visiting Mackinac Island, Sault Ste Marie, and Castle Rock as well as other sites. Gene opened his heart not only to Jane, but also to her young daughter Angela, born six months before Gene and Jane met.

Jane took great joy in caring for her family and home. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry because such activities were part of making a comfortable and safe place for her children and husband. The McBride home at 3519 Pine Knob in Alpine Meadows was a place of love and care. Jane’s daughters, Angela and Crystal, always knew that their mother was there for them and would do anything to ensure their health and happiness.

In 1986, the family acquired a space at Sandy Pines Resort, which they used until 2008. It was an amazing weekend getaway as well as a fantastic place for extended stays during the summer. A favorite activity was golf cart hide-and-seek. The McBrides became a part of the Sandy Pines community during those years, and made many good friends and happy memories there.

Other favorite activities included hosting Christmas and Halloween parties, as well as karaoke parties. Gene and Jane took a trip to Disney World at one point, and enjoyed several winter stays in Englewood, Florida, before Jane’s health declined.

Jane’s faith played a large part in her life. She and Gene were members at Westwood Community Church and were part of a motorcycle group there. They later attended Living Waters Wesleyan Church, and finally The Vine Church. Jane served at various times as a bookkeeper and in women’s Bible studies as well as in women’s fellowship groups. She and Gene often hosted small groups in their home.

Jane enjoyed watching horror and thriller movies. She watched the TV shows Tales from the Crypt and Dark Shadows, and she loved Halloween. She loved playing bingo and Candy Crush as well as watching General Hospital and The Price Is Right. She also had a long-standing tradition with her mother Margaret of going to breakfast together and then heading out for a day of shopping. They continued to do so until Margaret passed away at the age of 101 in January 2025.

Jane experienced many health issues over her last couple of years, and was mostly homebound. Believing that there were others worse off than she, Jane never complained or sought sympathy for herself despite her health struggles. She was determined to attend her oldest grandson’s wedding and was beyond delighted to be there, a beaming smile on her face the whole time. She intended to rest between the ceremony and the reception, but ended up in the hospital for her last hours on earth.

Jane died on Monday, May 25, 2026. She had to leave her loving family, but they were grateful that she had the great joy of achieving her final wish of attending her grandson’s wedding. Her family is comforted with the assurance that she is now smiling with her parents and has met her Savior face to face. Jane’s two loves were her faith and her family. She leaves a legacy of faithful service and unconditional love to be carried on by those closest to her.

Jane Elizabeth McBride, age 66, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Eugene McBride Jr.; her daughters, Angela Morse and Crystal (Jason) Trost; and her grandchildren, Jackson (Abbie) Harris, Olivia Morse, Carter Trost, and Xander Trost. She is also survived by her brothers, Robert (Jan) Harris and Thomas (Sue) Harris; Gene’s family; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, at noon at The Vine Church, 3950 Leonard St NW. Friends may visit with her family on Friday, from 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and on Saturday beginning at 11 AM at the church. Memorials are suggested to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital or the American Diabetes Association. To leave a memory or photo, or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.