"I will forever love and miss my grandmother. Her love, selflessness, support and faith knew no bounds. It was no secret that if one of us ever needed help realizing something special or something out of our control, then Marybelle's prayers were the best way to get it done. While I made several more serious requests of her in this department over the year, I chuckle to think that I also have her to thank for the Cubs winning the 2016 world series (she's not even from Chicago, she just did it because it was important to me). I am probably one of her least religious grandchildren, but it is in her image that I have and continue to conduct myself in what I understand to be the true spirit of Christianity. She has been my compass and reference point with respect to the importance of family, of kindness to others, of charity and humility and loyalty. I never knew Hunchy, but it is because of her that I revere him. She honored his life and her daughter Jo's life in the way she comported herself everyday and in the light that she shined on all of us. She was a tremendous woman and the fact that she lived 97 wonderful years does little to quell the loss that I feel. She was beautiful inside and out. I will always think of her when I watch the lion's play or have a bloody mary or tend my garden. I am also including one of my favorite quotes here. It's from Ray Bradbury's F451, and it makes me think fondly of her, and it goes like this: ?Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there. It doesn't matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away. The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn-cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime.? Grandma, you will be with me forever. I love you."
In loving memory of
Marybelle Hoernschemeyer
February 12, 1926 - February 16, 2023
Marybelle Hoernschemeyer (nee Groene), 97, died peacefully on February 16, 2023, surrounded by the love of her children. She enjoyed many uplifting visits from grandchildren and great-grandchildren prior to her passing.
Marybelle was born on February 12, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Charles and Stella Groene. She grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from Seton High School. She met her high school sweetheart in the spring of 1942, Robert James "Hunchy" Hoernschemeyer, and they married in 1947. After her husband, Bob, was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1950 (#14) they moved to Grosse Pointe to raise their family. In 1965, Marybelle began working in sales at Kitty Kelly Bridal Salon, was promoted to buyer and ultimately general manager of the bridal chain.
Marybelle was a devout, faithful Catholic. She was a long-time parishioner of St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church and also regularly attended Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit. She always sought to share the blessing of her faith which she loved and treasured.
She is survived by her son Robert Hoernschemeyer (Jennifer) and daughters Diane Foster (Christopher), Mary Towson and Sue Roosen (Richard). Her grandchildren: Bobby Hoernschemeyer (Janet), Breanne Harmsen (Daniel), Morgan Mathews (Megan), Martin Mathews (Lydia), Michael Mathews (Krista), Marc Mathews, Jo Ann Mathews, Christopher Towson (Holly), Catherine Towson, Christopher Roosen (Candice Hucke), John Roosen (Lorraine) and Paul Roosen (Frances). She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren and a brother Ray Groene (Bev).
She was pre-deceased by her dear husband and darling daughter Jo Ann, her parents, brothers Charles Groene (Marilyn) and Stan Groene (Mary Jo) and sister Ruth Bonfield (Skeets).
A private funeral mass will be held at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church with interment in Cincinnati, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate or Masses said in her memory.
The family wants to extend their deep appreciation to the staff of Angela Hospice in Livonia for their compassionate and loving care.
Tributes
"I have wonderful memories of Aunt Marybelle from childhood when we lived in Cincinnati. I remember how vivacious, pretty and fun she was. I remember our visits when she and Uncle Bob lived in the duplex above Grandma and Grandpa and how she would watch and play with us in their back yard. I remember picnics and Thanksgiving meals together and how much our dad, Charlie, loved his baby sister. Sending all the Hoernschemeyer family our condolences, prayers, and love, Cousin Paula and Nizar "
"Didn't really know Marybelle well. But did know HUNCHY a long time ago when I worked at the "Lions Den' bar on Mack. It was always one of those jobs where you worked for a HERO of the sports world and never new how the same story was gonna be told. It was exciting and all those guys were always true gentlemen to me! He used to talk about Marybelle all the time, so I felt like I knew her. He was quite a HUNK! ?"