Harriet Malone

Harriet Malone, although old in body, was very young in spirit. She was a busy mother, grandmother, and church organist - always making time to help others. From knitting beautiful sweaters to baby sitting for her grandchildren, Harriet lived life to the fullest.

Many historic events took place from 1910 to 1919. The first moving assembly line began in 1914 and in 1915, the one millionth Model T, costing $345, rolled off that assembly line. The first parachute jump was made and the Girl Scouts of America were formed. The fateful "night to remember" was April 15, 1912, when the Titanic sunk. November 25, 1915 was a day to remember for the Voss family. It was Thanksgiving Day and Edward and Rose (Thome) Voss were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Harriet.

As a child, Harriet was ill a great deal. She vividly remembered going to the Cleveland Clinic with her mother to have her thyroid removed. Harriet's father died when Harriet was very young. That left her mother with 6 children to raise and making ends meet was very difficult. Any income the children could bring in doing small jobs always went to help support the family. Harriet grew up in a catholic home and received a very traditional Catholic education attending St. Mary's Catholic School and graduating from Mt. Mercy Academy. After graduation, she worked a short while for the telephone company.

In 1937, Harriet married Theodore Gietzen in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Together, they had 6 children - Daniel, Theodore Jr., Susan, Barbara, Kathleen, and James. As the children were growing up, the family lived in Belmont, just north of Grand Rapids. Harriet was very involved with her children and their lives. Because of her strong faith in God and her commitment to Catholic education, she would dutifully drive her children to school in Grand Rapids, every day.

Harriet maintained her faith and commitment all her life. She was a very spiritual lady, dedicated to reciting the Rosary. An active participant in her church, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Harriet could be found playing the organ at mass, attending meetings of the Altar and Rosary Society and supporting the Consolta Order. She passed her strong faith on to her children and was always encouraging them to help out at church any way they could. Her children would often recall how, as they were growing up, they had volunteered to take care of the church grounds.

Tragically, in 1964, her beloved husband Theodore passed away, the result of accidental injuries. A few years later Harriet married John (Jack) Malone. She and Jack moved to Florida and here Harriet became very involved with retired friends in the area. They were active boaters, and Harriet engaged herself in many of the local Yacht Club functions, organizing various social activities. She loved Florida. She hated Michigan winters and in sunny Florida there was always a party to attend or other social function to participate in. She often said that being in Florida made her feel young.

Jack died in 1990 and Harriet left her beloved Florida and moved back to Michigan to be near her children. She continued to maintain her own home and was still able to drive and care for herself and her home.

Having a green thumb, Harriet loved growing and showing off her many African Violets. Her favorite pastime was knitting, and she was famous for the wonderful sweaters she had made for her family. At the time of her passing, she was making a sweater for her daughter, an intricate and complicated pattern that will not be finished.

Mrs. Harriet L. (Voss) Malone, aged 87 of Hudsonville, passed away Thursday October2, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husbands Theodore Gietzen, Jack Malone and her son Theodore Gietzen, Jr. Surviving are her children: Daniel (Alma) Gietzen, Susan (Larry) Strong, Barbara (Richard) Ver Hage, Kathleen (William) Bagin, James (Susan) Gietzen, 15 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, her brother Edward Voss, her sisters, Marian Geary, Eleanor Skory, Jeanne DeLaney and nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Malone reposes at the Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW where relatives and friends may meet her family Monday from 7-9 PM and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Rosary service will be held Tuesday at 8 PM at the funeral chapel. Friends may also meet with the family at St. Mary's Church Wednesday from 9 AM until the time of the funeral mass. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 10 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. To read Harriet's life story, leave a memory, or make a memorial contribution to the Francis Geary Scholarship Fund at Catholic Central High School, or St. John's Home, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.

This wonderful mother and grandmother, affectionately known as "Nonnie" will be missed by all.