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Life Story / Obituary


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On Sunday evening, August 11th 2019, Jean Ellen Ahart slipped the surly bonds of earth and joined her parents in the stars.

Jean was born June 11th 1936 to Archie L and Dorothy A (nee Wolf) McLean in Traverse City MI.

She spent many of her early years in Northport MI as well. Jean graduated from Traverse City Central High in 1954 and ventured off to MSU to further her education. After returning home, she married John (Jack) Richard Ahart and they set off together building a family and home on Old Mission Peninsula. Among raising three boys, Jean enjoyed golf at the Traverse City Country Club, skiing and instructing at Holiday Hills, sailing on West Bay, and summer trips to the cabin her father Archie built on Lake Matinenda, Ontario Canada. It was on one such trip, while sunning on the rocks with her girlfriends, while the men were out fishing that a bear decided to join them for a brief visit. This visit surely made their day and was memorialized by Jean’s receipt of a large stuffed bear for the next Christmas.

Jean divorced Jack later in life and set off on her own, first becoming involved in Real Estate, before returning to college and obtaining her Licensed Practical Nurse degree. With a friend, they established a non-emergent patient transportation service in Traverse City. From there, Jean moved on and built and opened/operated Rosegate Residential Care on Lafranier Hill. She operated this home for many years, providing her residents with a very loving and comfortable home and carefree life. This business allowed her the opportunity to travel the world. Jean traveled everywhere from the River Volga in Russia, to Africa, and of course her favorite destination, Scotland. Once, in mentioning to her son Chris about a pending trip to the Galapagos Islands, he remarked in wonder as to why she decided to travel there. Her answer, Antarctica was booked. This was the adventurous spirit that Jean possessed. One that will serve her well as she proceeds on her next journey.

Jean is survived by her sons Chris and his friend Darline Wilson, his sons Joshua (Kaitlyn) and James Archer, Nick (Lisa) and their son Alex, and Pat and his son Zane. She is also survived by her sister, Pat McCann of Seattle WA, and her niece, Jeannie (Jay) Lund and nephew Bill McCann. And her newest and first great-granddaughter Kinsley, whom she was delighted to meet shortly before passing on.

Jean requested that there be no funeral or memorial services. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be scattered to the wind. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your memories with the family.