Jean M. Knowles

Jean M. Knowles, aged 79 years, passed away peacefully the evening of November 4th, 2013, in Plymouth, Michigan. She was born to Agnes and Findlay MacRae in Detroit, Michigan on April 11th, 1934. She graduated as the valedictorian of her class from McKenzie High School (Detroit, MI), and was the recipient of a Henry Ford scholarship. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. and was president of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. Later, she earned a Masters of Library Science degree from the University of Michigan. In her career as a teacher in the Plymouth-Canton School District, she was responsible for opening the first all paperback high school library in the nation, at Canton high School. After meeting that challenge, she returned to her love of teacher young children to read, and worked for many years as a librarian at Isbister Elementary School on Canton Center Rd. Jean was an avid reader, and participated in many lively discussions in various book clubs. She loved living in Plymouth, had many friends and was an active participant and leader in many social and civic groups in the community. Many will remember her as Cinderella in AAUW’s children’s play. She traveled extensively and took special delight in visiting Scotland, where she connected with her Scottish heritage. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Elizabeth, in 1985. She is survived by her multitude of friends, her son James, daughter-in-law Valerie and grandchildren Marilyn and Noelle, of Altadena, CA. She is also survived by her brother, Donald MacRae and sister-in-law, Amy Bassi MacRae, nephew Martin and niece Alexandra. Family and friends will be received at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home at 280 S. Main Street, Plymouth, MI 48170 from 2-4 PM and 6-9 PM on Wednesday, November 6th, 2013. Funeral Services will take place Thursday, November 7th, 2013 at 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 45201 N. Territorial Rd., Plymouth. The service will be followed by internment at Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association in lieu of flowers.