AGE: 88
TAPPER, Jean Anne
Paw Paw
Jean Anne Tapper of Paw Paw, MI passed away peacefully Saturday evening July 6, 2013, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton, MI. She was born September 25, 1924 in Jackson, MI, the daughter of William Francis and Margaret (Marshall) Cavender. She graduated from St John's HS and went on to study nursing at Mercy College in Ann Arbor, MI. There she began her long and dedicated career as a Registered Nurse and there, also, she met her future husband, John Harvey Tapper of Paw Paw, who survives. Jean Anne and John were united in marriage in 1947 and together they raised nine children, all of whom also survive: John (Linda) Tapper of Paw Paw, John and Justin; Terry (Linda) Tapper of Paw Paw, Shannon, Katie and Danny; Tom (Sheryl) Tapper of Paw Paw, Angela and Ellen; Julie (Ted) Gromek of Mattawan, Matt, Nick and Meghan; Bill (Sue) Tapper of Paw Paw, Mary and Beth; Jim (Tammy) Tapper of Paw Paw, Todd, Haley and Alexis; Dave Tapper of Paw Paw, Kayla, Dave, Jill and Hunter; Mike Tapper; and Steve (Jeri) Tapper of Paw Paw, Chris and Craig. Jean Anne is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, her brother, James Cavender of Jackson, MI, her sister, Mary Ellen Phillips of Sacramento, CA and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Ryan Tapper, in 2012. While raising her family, Jean Anne continued her nursing career at LakeView Community Hospital in Paw Paw until her retirement in 1989. She was a devoted member of St Mary's Catholic Church in Paw Paw where she played the organ for 20 years. She enjoyed people and she loved to travel and socialize and spend time with friends and family. She had many great stories of life on the Tapper farm, of work and of travels and of raising a large, dynamic family. Jean Anne was a very special, talented woman whose spirit will live on in all who were lucky to have known her. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 11, 11 a.m. at St Mary's Catholic Church in Paw Paw. Memorial contributions may be made to the LakeView Foundation - Nursing Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 508, Paw Paw, MI 49079.