Jeanne Anne Hudson

A Catholic woman filled with faith, hope and love, Jeanne Anne (Hackett) Hudson of Wyoming, Michigan passed away March 16 with her family by her side. Jeanne Anne was born July 25, 1938, the first of seven daughters, to Sally and John Hackett in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Harry, her five children: Jeff (Kelly) Hudson, Tom (Patty) Hudson, Mike (Teri) Hudson, Sharon (Pete) Jansma, and John Hudson; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her five sisters, Elaine (Dean) Salisbury, Sharon (Dan) Balogh, Karen (Bill) Tasch, Rita (Bill) Maddox, Patti (Van) Tuma; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Sally Hackett, her sister Mary Jo Hackett, her mother and father-in law, Helen and Ed Hudson, her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick Hudson, Tom Hudson and Marie Hall. Jeanne Anne grew up in Mt. Pleasant, a 1956 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. In addition to her studies there, she graduated in music from SHA, where she was an organist at Sacred Heart Church. After high school, she attended Aquinas College for two years, then transferred and graduated in 1961 from Central Michigan University with her elementary teaching certificate. In 1961 she married Harry Hudson, and they were fortunate to land jobs with Wyoming Public Schools right out of college. When they had their first child, she left teaching to raise her five children. Throughout this time she continued to substitute teach when she could. Jeanne Anne was well known and respected for her dedication to her parish, St. John Vianney in Wyoming. Throughout her life, Jeanne Anne was an organist, taught kindergarten, planned Children’s Masses, and was the Religious Education Coordinator – all at St. John Vianney. One of the most fulfilling parts of her work was preparing children for their First Communion. Until recently, she continued to share her faith by being a prayer leader and Eucharistic minister to residents at Vista Springs Assisted Living Facility. Jeanne Anne was not only dedicated to her Catholic faith and music, she was, at all times, a full time supporter of her family – attending school and sporting events (too numerous to record!) in which her children and grandchildren were involved. She always said her favorite sport was watching basketball! She also enjoyed family times at the Payne Lake cottage, gatherings around the swimming pool on Grenadier, golfing, and any opportunity she had to be with her sisters. Along with Harry, she organized and hosted many Hackett and Hudson family celebrations. Memorable to the Hackett family are the years when her grandchildren and those of her sisters performed the Nativity Story at Christmastime, in full costumes she provided. Jeanne Anne was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in 2006, and faced this diagnosis with the faith and grace that exemplified her life. Jeanne Anne demonstrated the faith light that was within her as a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. What she leaves to us is an example of a full and well-lived life, focused on God. She will be deeply missed and remembered by all those who knew and loved her, who are grateful to have shared life’s journey with her. The world is a better place because she was in it. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4101 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at St. John Vianney Church on Thursday, March 17 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues Friday, March 18 from 4-7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Vianney Foundation and Hope for Haiti. Envelopes are available at the Church.