Jeanette “Jean” McNitt
March 11th, 1959 - November 18th, 2023
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Jean's Obituary
Jeanette ‘Jean’ McNitt (Hasse), 64, passed away on the morning of Saturday November 18, 2023. She peacefully transitioned into her Father’s arms, surrounded by her loved ones at home. She succumbed to a valiant fight against breast cancer that left her and her family with a vacancy that will never be filled.
A celebration of life will be from 1-4pm on Sunday, Dec. 3, at North Lake Events, 10577 Jones Road, Berrien Springs. An intimate funeral will take place on Monday Dec. 4 at 11am, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. No visitation will take place Monday. The family requests if you would like to express condolences that you attend the celebration Sunday as they remember the joy Jean brought to all of our lives in a way that honors her. Those wishing to sign Jean’s Memory Book online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Berrien Springs Preschool or Wild Coyote Farm, Berrien Springs, MI. Jean was passionate about Christian education, as well as organic, local eating.
Jean was born on March 11, 1959 in St. Joseph Michigan to Erwin ‘Butch’ and Dorothy Hasse. Blessed by beautiful siblings, she lived a life of ‘Hasse’s Towing and Crane’ that carried on to her career as a bookkeeper for the family business. It was only months before she passed that she left her career to find treatment for herself. She took pride in the honor she felt contributing to her father’s family business, even until her final moments.
Jean loved her family more than anything. Preceding in death is her husband ‘Lawrence’ or Larry McNitt, who was a beloved Michigan fan. She watched every football game in honor of him. Her five grandkids were the light of her life; she never remarried knowing her life was fulfilled by her children and grandchildren.
Jean loved volunteering at the Mendel Center (an award winner for her 20+ years of service), kayaking and boating on Lake Michigan, camping, but most of all, downhill skiing. She felt like the slopes were a way to not only connect with her family, but with her past. Annual ski trips to Crystal Mountain were part of honoring her late husband, and will continue to be honored by her family today. You could find Jean walking Lake Michigan, toes in the sand, being grateful for its beauty and her time spent there.
Jean loved a good glass of wine with good book and a great classic rock song. Her talents were demonstrated as a pianist at her daughter’s wedding, to Journey ‘Open Arms’. She also loved walking every morning, rain, snow or shine. Her devotion to taking care of herself was seen even in her final moments. She will always be remembered as a fighter.
Jean is survived by her son, Justin (Cortney) McNitt; daughters, Amanda (Brent) Brock, and Brittany (Matthew) Culby; her grandchildren MaKenna & Landon McNitt, Samuel and Evelyn Brock, and Rye Culby; her mother Dorothy Hasse; her siblings Steve Hasse, Tom Hasse, and Mary Kent.
Jean is also preceded in death by her father Erwin Hasse.
It seems futile to put her life into a few paragraphs. Jean touched the lives of so many — and will continue to do so even despite her outcome. We can honor her by living a life of presence and love for each other. Take a deep breath today and remember Jean in the sunrise, sunset and even the rainiest of days. No matter the weather, she is with us and holding us.
A celebration of life will be from 1-4pm on Sunday, Dec. 3, at North Lake Events, 10577 Jones Road, Berrien Springs. An intimate funeral will take place on Monday Dec. 4 at 11am, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. No visitation will take place Monday. The family requests if you would like to express condolences that you attend the celebration Sunday as they remember the joy Jean brought to all of our lives in a way that honors her. Those wishing to sign Jean’s Memory Book online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Berrien Springs Preschool or Wild Coyote Farm, Berrien Springs, MI. Jean was passionate about Christian education, as well as organic, local eating.
Jean was born on March 11, 1959 in St. Joseph Michigan to Erwin ‘Butch’ and Dorothy Hasse. Blessed by beautiful siblings, she lived a life of ‘Hasse’s Towing and Crane’ that carried on to her career as a bookkeeper for the family business. It was only months before she passed that she left her career to find treatment for herself. She took pride in the honor she felt contributing to her father’s family business, even until her final moments.
Jean loved her family more than anything. Preceding in death is her husband ‘Lawrence’ or Larry McNitt, who was a beloved Michigan fan. She watched every football game in honor of him. Her five grandkids were the light of her life; she never remarried knowing her life was fulfilled by her children and grandchildren.
Jean loved volunteering at the Mendel Center (an award winner for her 20+ years of service), kayaking and boating on Lake Michigan, camping, but most of all, downhill skiing. She felt like the slopes were a way to not only connect with her family, but with her past. Annual ski trips to Crystal Mountain were part of honoring her late husband, and will continue to be honored by her family today. You could find Jean walking Lake Michigan, toes in the sand, being grateful for its beauty and her time spent there.
Jean loved a good glass of wine with good book and a great classic rock song. Her talents were demonstrated as a pianist at her daughter’s wedding, to Journey ‘Open Arms’. She also loved walking every morning, rain, snow or shine. Her devotion to taking care of herself was seen even in her final moments. She will always be remembered as a fighter.
Jean is survived by her son, Justin (Cortney) McNitt; daughters, Amanda (Brent) Brock, and Brittany (Matthew) Culby; her grandchildren MaKenna & Landon McNitt, Samuel and Evelyn Brock, and Rye Culby; her mother Dorothy Hasse; her siblings Steve Hasse, Tom Hasse, and Mary Kent.
Jean is also preceded in death by her father Erwin Hasse.
It seems futile to put her life into a few paragraphs. Jean touched the lives of so many — and will continue to do so even despite her outcome. We can honor her by living a life of presence and love for each other. Take a deep breath today and remember Jean in the sunrise, sunset and even the rainiest of days. No matter the weather, she is with us and holding us.
Memorial Contributions
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