Maureen Schoen Abid, 63, passed away peacefully Friday morning, December 14th, 2018 at her home in Comstock Park after a brave battle with breast cancer. She was born October 11th, 1955 to John and Eileen (Campbell) Schoen in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Maureen leaves behind her husband of 41 years Steve Abid, her children and their spouses Matt and Laura (Potes) Abid, Chris and Jenny (Aikens) Abid, Rob Abid and James Gulvas; her grandchildren Matthew Jr., Riley, Carson, Maggie, Ben, Henry, and Scarlet Abid; her sister and brother in-law Marilyn (Schoen) and Steve Muma, brother and sister in-law Terry and Mary (Bradfield) Schoen, brother Mike Schoen; in-laws Perry and Karen (Abid) Abbs, Dan Abid, Wayne and Diane (Abid) Satterlee, and Paul and Miko (Davis) Abid; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Eileen, her sister Pam Schoen and her mother and father in-law Lou and Louise (Najar) Abid. Maureen graduated from Catholic Central in 1973 and attended Grand Rapids Junior College where she met the love of her life, Steve. She majored in history and political science at Aquinas College. As avid football fans, Maureen and Steve spent their second date at a Notre Dame football game. Maureen and Steve married on June 24th, 1977 in Grand Rapids. Steve served as a football coach for many years and Maureen, a lover of football, never missed a game Steve coached. Maureen was a lifelong supporter of Catholic education and a dedicated volunteer to her communities, including Holy Trinity Parish where she helped start the Lenten Fish Fry program and the Athletic Boosters, and West Catholic High School where she chaired the Senior All Night party for each of her sons, served on the W.I.N. Committee that helped build West Catholic Falcon Stadium, and helped coordinate the annual All A’s walk, among many other service roles over the years. Maureen’s career spanned several roles, including working at the Kent Community Action Program as the Headstart Accountant, as a bookkeeper for various businesses, an aid at Holy Trinity Catholic School, and most recently as a substitute teacher with the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Schools. She was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and was a spiritual person. At home, she instituted a rule with her family that the last one to the dinner table would be required to say a prayer before the meal, as an effort to get her children to the table faster. The rule still stands to this day. Maureen also loved history and politics and had no difficulty offering her opinion on topics of the day. She had a great sense of humor frequently sprinkled with a little bit of sarcasm. Maureen was known for her profound love of family and a good glass of Shiraz. One of her favorite pastimes was watching the sunset at Lake Michigan Sundune cottage, an annual family vacation spot for more than 25 years. She treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren especially when a meal was involved. Maureen leaves a legacy of love for family and friends and will be deeply missed. Her family expresses their gratitude to her medical team and caregivers, who Maureen would say “have been the nicest people she never wanted to meet.” Her prayers have been answered and she is Home now at peace and suffering no more. In tribute to Maureen we suggest drinking a toast, watching a sunset, hugging your loved ones and tell them you love them!
Family and friends are invited to visitation at Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuary 3525 Remembrance Rd NW, Grand Rapids on Monday, December 17th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM with Rosary prayed at 8:30 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, December 18th at 11:00 AM at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Belmont, Michigan where she will repose one hour prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Mary’s Lacks Cancer Center or the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.