Gene Morgan

In life there are two paths - you can either make choices for yourself or wait for opportunities to come along and allow your life to choose for you. Eugenia "Gene" Anne Morgan was a feisty and independent woman who made her own opportunities and, with a desire for something better, always chose the direction her life would take. Born under the sign of Gemini, Gene read her horoscope everyday and truly fit the characteristics of a Gemini woman. She was very expressive and opinionated, comfortable in most any social situation, and celebrated change. All in all she led a rich life, full of loving family, great moments, and countless memories.

Throughout the 1920s good fortune was sweeping through America as though it were carried on the wind. Landscapes that had once been drowned by seas of prairie grass were now home to thriving cities and bountiful farming communities. Located just north of Dayton in central Ohio, Sidney was one of the many places feeling the winds of fortune blow across its fields. And perhaps no one knew that more than Kenneth Morgan and his expectant wife, Mildred (Cowan). As summer approached in 1928, on June 12 the couple proudly welcomed their first child, a daughter named Eugenia Anne, and whom they affectionately nicknamed "Gene."

The first couple of years after Gene was born quickly passed, as did the prosperity of the 1920s. By the time the new decade had arrived, scarcity had replaced surplus and the country sank into a depression. Despite coming of age during these difficult times, Gene was not only able to graduate from high school, but also participate in many extracurricular activities. She began her formal education at 3rd Ward Elementary, and later earned her diploma from Sidney High School. While there she excelled in tap dancing, taking classes and performing in recitals, sang in the Glee Club, and acted in many of the school's plays.

Just weeks after commencement in 1946, Gene moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan with her parents and her younger sister Peg. Following graduation, she spent several years exploring her career options searching for the one that suited her best. During this time she held several jobs including a waitress at a restaurant and an usher at a local movie theater. Gene was also quite social and joined the Tall Girls Club for women over 5'10" tall. Her membership in the club eventually brought romance into her life when she was set up on a blind date with Robert (Red) Parps, the cousin of a fellow member. She and Red quickly fell in love and dated for only a short time before becoming engaged on Valentine's Day in 1950. That same year, on July 31st, Gene and Red were joined in marriage at Grandville Congregational Church.

Following their summer nuptials, the newlyweds moved into a trailer park in Marne, Michigan, which would be their first of many homes together. Red worked as an auto mechanic, while Gene continued to explore her career options at places like Michigan Bell Telephone and as an Avon Lady. On January 12, 1952, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named David, followed by a daughter, Lynne, on November 29, 1954. Over the years the family moved many times, first into an apartment in Marne, then into a home with her parents on Carrier NE in Grand Rapids, and later into a home of their own on Mason NE. In 1965 the family moved once again, into the first of two homes they built in Marne.

As a young family, Gene, Red and the children took many vacations each summer. They often accompanied friends Glenn and Eleanor Morris on trips and spent two weeks of each summer on Drummond Island. Apart from the vacations, Gene and Red often took the kids to drive-in movies or boating on one of the many local lakes in the family's pleasure boat. In light of their two beautiful children, Gene and Red's marriage may have been considered successful, however, in 1971 the couple decided to go their separate ways.

After her divorce, Gene took a job as a price checker for Meijer where she worked for 15 years until her retirement in 1988. She also continued her social ways, joining Common Weel, a single parents group that organized charitable functions, and the Single Parents Club, a local support group. While she may have been content with her single life and new career, when it came to apartments, she moved several times, always in search of greener grass. Once she had retired, she decided to go where the grass is green year round and joined her sister Peg in Madeira, Florida. She moved back to her hometown of Sidney, Ohio for a year, then to Florida for a second time, before finally ending up in Marsh Ridge Apartments in Grand Rapids.

Gene loved to travel and enjoyed reading maps. Over the years she went on several cruises, and visited many places including Yellowstone, Hawaii, California, and Texas. That is not to say, however, that she didn't enjoy her time at home. She was hooked on television dramas and had several favorite TV shows including CSI, Law & Order, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Let's Make A Deal. Gene even bought a subscription to TV guide that she and Lynne shared, but Gene liked it mainly for the crossword puzzles. She was also known for her "signature attribute," the color purple. Whether it was a gift she was giving, the clothes she wore or items in her apartment, almost everything was certain to be in hues of purple or lavender! She also liked Ballroom dancing, and enjoyed listening to Big Band and Country and Western music. Gene was a terrific cook, and made the best baked beans, according to her family, who raved "Aunt Gene's beans are the best!" She could, however, also appreciate a good meal out at her favorite restaurant, Russ's, often enjoying their soups and pies.

Although she lived by herself, Gene was rarely alone. She was often called upon to stay at a friend's or relative's home while they were away and watch their pets. More than anything, Gene loved her friends and family. Some of her favorite pastimes were going to lunch or seeing a movie with her daughter, Lynne. A recent memory of Gene's was going to the Grand Rapids Broadway Theater Guild with Lynne to see hits like "Oliver" and just last spring, the two saw "Dr. Dolittle." While at the production of Dr. Dolittle, Gene was delighted to have met "Tommy Tune," a popular big time favorite from way back. Gene also loved going to car road rally races that her son David was in, The Furrin Group. She had two grandchildren, Kenneth and Melissa, whom she adored, as well as many nieces and nephews whose company she enjoyed and they in turn, loved her like a grandma. She also loved to talk on the phone with her friends, especially with her best friend, Barb Cryderman, whom she called nearly everyday.

On October 9, 2006, Gene suffered a massive stroke during the night. The next day, she was taken to Butterworth Hospital, where doctors eventually determined that there was nothing more that could be done. With her daughter Lynne and sister Peg keeping vigil at her side, she spent the final days of her life under Hospice care at Pilgrim Manor. Gene was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, who will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mrs. Eugenia "Gene" Anne Morgan, age 78 of Grand Rapids, passed away at Pilgrim Manor on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 following a brief illness. She is survived by her children, David Parps of Saukville, WI, Lynne Bilski of Grand Rapids; her grandson, Kenneth Parps and fiancé Sarah Zarzynski; her step-granddaughter, Melissa Bilski; her sister Margaret "Peg" (Ronald) Smith; nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Doug) Hoonhorst of Grand Rapids, Thane (Abby) Smith of FL, Laura Perry of FL, Eric (Jane) Smith of TX; 7 great nieces and nephews; her best friend, Barb Cryderman and many other friends.

A service to celebrate Gene's life will be held on Saturday October 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Friends and relatives may meet her family at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00 PM until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in her memory to Hospice of Michigan or American Heart Assn. To view Gene's Life Story Digital Film, to leave your own memory of her or to sign her guestbook, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.