Jean Marilyn Sweeney

  Jean Marilyn Sweeney (Decker) - January 28, 1929 - March 4, 2021  

  Jean was married nearly 70 years to her husband Charles William “Bill” Sweeney. She is  

  survived by her two children, Kelly Sweeney (Mary) and Koleen Cook (Paul). Her surviving  

  grandchildren are Matt Sweeney, Carly Gronow (Chris), Raquel Cadourcy (Pierre), Daniel Cook  

  and Emily Cook. Her great grandchildren include Harvey Cadourcy (3) and Brooks Gronow (1).  

  Lepha and Borley Decker welcomed their daughter Jean as the 7th of 11 children in Alamo  

  Township, Michigan on January 28, 1929.  

  The family relocated to Lake Orion, MI in 1930 when her father took work at the American  

  Aggregate Co. in Oxford, MI. Shortly thereafter, misfortune struck and the family lost their  

  father to kidney failure. Jean’s mother Lepha was left to be a single mother and raise 11  

  children. The youngest had only just been born.  

  While the older children went to work to help support the family and her mother began to work 3  

  jobs, Jean was left to care for the younger siblings. As she became a young teen she would  

  take odd jobs such as doing a neighbor’s dinner dishes to earn some spare change that might  

  help buy shoes to fit or necessary food to feed the family. Two of her older brothers, Robert  

  Decker and Clayton Decker were killed in action during WWII. The family endured great  

  challenges.  

  Jean graduated from Lake Orion High School and immediately found a way to get ride shares to  

  Pontiac Business Institute. This opened the door to an opportunity at General Motors Truck and  

  Coach division in Pontiac, Michigan where she enjoyed a 36 year career in  

  Advertising/Marketing. She enjoyed being an active member of the GM Girls Club.  

  Golfing, bowling and entertaining were her favorite hobbies.  

  Jean’s husband Bill co-owned Lake Orion Furniture and Appliance for 45 years and the couple  

  were an integral part of the Lake Orion community for their entire lives.  

  In retirement, Bill and Jean enjoyed their winter home in Vero Beach, FL for more than 30 years.  

  Mostly, her time spent in retirement was deeply devoted to caring for each of her grandchildren.  

  She had a very special relationship that each of them will cherish forever.  

  Private family funeral services will be held.  

  Memorial contributions in honor of Jean may be made to  St. Joseph Mercy Hospice   .