Marjory Gertrude Fairbairn passed away surrounded by her family on May 6, 2015 at her lifelong home in Alanson.
Born in Boyne City on April 23, 1930 to Reuben and Goldie (DeLaney) Peterson, she moved to Petoskey at a young age with her family.
She graduated 1947 from Petoskey High School and attended University of Michigan. Gertrude met the love of her life, Walter J. Fairbairn, at a school band festival and they were married in 1950. He preceded her in death in 1985.
Gertrude's life was a beautiful song. As a young woman she taught piano lessons. For 40 years Gertrude shared music at the First Presbyterian Church in Petoskey. There she played the organ, hand bells and piano and her music filled countless wedding and funerals. Retirement did not suit her, so she spent 6 years at the First Methodist Church in Petoskey, then enjoyed being a substitute organist for area churches. In addition Gertrude was the accompanist for Petoskey Madrigals, individual instrumental students and soloists at high school competitions and often played for area graduation ceremonies. For many years she accompanied and sang in the Little Traverse Choral Society. She also sang in the Bay View Choir. Her musical career spanned 65 years.
She was passionate about her creative hobbies. This seamstress created many costumes, wedding and prom dresses. She loved to assist with the designs and construction of parade floats. She was a Master Gardener who nurtured beautiful flowers at the Alanson Hillside Garden and her own yard. A hands-on approach to home improvement was a place for her unique creativity. Gertrude's lemon meringue pie was a work of art. She loved her dogs and rescued several over the years. Spending time with her many lady friends many adventures.
Mrs. Fairbairn is survived by her five children and ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren; Ruth her best friend/sister and Lyle, her brother-inlaw; as well as many nieces and nephews who also survive her. Her sister Beverly Luebert and brother Dale Peterson preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held on May 14th at 11:00am at the Stone Funeral Home. Pastor Glen McIntyre of the Burt Lake Christian Church officiated. The family received friends at the funeral home on May 14th from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Memorial contributions were directed as follows: Humane Society, the Hillside Gardens, or to "just plant a tree somewhere special."
A Message from Mrs. Fairbairn’s Family:
"We are so very grateful for her love of family. ‘Mom', ‘Grandma,' and ‘GG' was forever thinking of free, simple and memorable ways to entertain her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all cherish the many ways she shared her gifts with us.”
Source: Stone Funeral Home Obituaries
Born in Boyne City on April 23, 1930 to Reuben and Goldie (DeLaney) Peterson, she moved to Petoskey at a young age with her family.
She graduated 1947 from Petoskey High School and attended University of Michigan. Gertrude met the love of her life, Walter J. Fairbairn, at a school band festival and they were married in 1950. He preceded her in death in 1985.
Gertrude's life was a beautiful song. As a young woman she taught piano lessons. For 40 years Gertrude shared music at the First Presbyterian Church in Petoskey. There she played the organ, hand bells and piano and her music filled countless wedding and funerals. Retirement did not suit her, so she spent 6 years at the First Methodist Church in Petoskey, then enjoyed being a substitute organist for area churches. In addition Gertrude was the accompanist for Petoskey Madrigals, individual instrumental students and soloists at high school competitions and often played for area graduation ceremonies. For many years she accompanied and sang in the Little Traverse Choral Society. She also sang in the Bay View Choir. Her musical career spanned 65 years.
She was passionate about her creative hobbies. This seamstress created many costumes, wedding and prom dresses. She loved to assist with the designs and construction of parade floats. She was a Master Gardener who nurtured beautiful flowers at the Alanson Hillside Garden and her own yard. A hands-on approach to home improvement was a place for her unique creativity. Gertrude's lemon meringue pie was a work of art. She loved her dogs and rescued several over the years. Spending time with her many lady friends many adventures.
Mrs. Fairbairn is survived by her five children and ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren; Ruth her best friend/sister and Lyle, her brother-inlaw; as well as many nieces and nephews who also survive her. Her sister Beverly Luebert and brother Dale Peterson preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held on May 14th at 11:00am at the Stone Funeral Home. Pastor Glen McIntyre of the Burt Lake Christian Church officiated. The family received friends at the funeral home on May 14th from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Memorial contributions were directed as follows: Humane Society, the Hillside Gardens, or to "just plant a tree somewhere special."
A Message from Mrs. Fairbairn’s Family:
"We are so very grateful for her love of family. ‘Mom', ‘Grandma,' and ‘GG' was forever thinking of free, simple and memorable ways to entertain her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all cherish the many ways she shared her gifts with us.”
Source: Stone Funeral Home Obituaries
Marjory Gertrude Fairbairn passed away surrounded by her family on May 6, 2015 at her lifelong home in Alanson.
Born in Boyne City on April 23, 1930 to Reuben and Goldie (DeLaney) Peterson, she moved to Petoskey at a young age with her family.
She graduated 1947 from Petoskey High School and attended University of Michigan. Gertrude met the love of her life, Walter J. Fairbairn, at a school band festival and they were married in 1950. He preceded her in death in 1985.
Gertrude's life was a beautiful song. As a young woman she taught piano lessons. For 40 years Gertrude shared music at the First Presbyterian Church in Petoskey. There she played the organ, hand bells and piano and her music filled countless wedding and funerals. Retirement did not suit her, so she spent 6 years at the First Methodist Church in Petoskey, then enjoyed being a substitute organist for area churches. In addition Gertrude was the accompanist for Petoskey Madrigals, individual instrumental students and soloists at high school competitions and often played for area graduation ceremonies. For many years she accompanied and sang in the Little Traverse Choral Society. She also sang in the Bay View Choir. Her musical career spanned 65 years.
She was passionate about her creative hobbies. This seamstress created many costumes, wedding and prom dresses. She loved to assist with the designs and construction of parade floats. She was a Master Gardener who nurtured beautiful flowers at the Alanson Hillside Garden and her own yard. A hands-on approach to home improvement was a place for her unique creativity. Gertrude's lemon meringue pie was a work of art. She loved her dogs and rescued several over the years. Spending time with her many lady friends many adventures.
Mrs. Fairbairn is survived by her five children and ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren; Ruth her best friend/sister and Lyle, her brother-inlaw; as well as many nieces and nephews who also survive her. Her sister Beverly Luebert and brother Dale Peterson preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held on May 14th at 11:00am at the Stone Funeral Home. Pastor Glen McIntyre of the Burt Lake Christian Church officiated. The family received friends at the funeral home on May 14th from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Memorial contributions were directed as follows: Humane Society, the Hillside Gardens, or to "just plant a tree somewhere special."
A Message from Mrs. Fairbairn’s Family:
"We are so very grateful for her love of family. ‘Mom', ‘Grandma,' and ‘GG' was forever thinking of free, simple and memorable ways to entertain her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all cherish the many ways she shared her gifts with us.”
Source: Stone Funeral Home Obituaries
Born in Boyne City on April 23, 1930 to Reuben and Goldie (DeLaney) Peterson, she moved to Petoskey at a young age with her family.
She graduated 1947 from Petoskey High School and attended University of Michigan. Gertrude met the love of her life, Walter J. Fairbairn, at a school band festival and they were married in 1950. He preceded her in death in 1985.
Gertrude's life was a beautiful song. As a young woman she taught piano lessons. For 40 years Gertrude shared music at the First Presbyterian Church in Petoskey. There she played the organ, hand bells and piano and her music filled countless wedding and funerals. Retirement did not suit her, so she spent 6 years at the First Methodist Church in Petoskey, then enjoyed being a substitute organist for area churches. In addition Gertrude was the accompanist for Petoskey Madrigals, individual instrumental students and soloists at high school competitions and often played for area graduation ceremonies. For many years she accompanied and sang in the Little Traverse Choral Society. She also sang in the Bay View Choir. Her musical career spanned 65 years.
She was passionate about her creative hobbies. This seamstress created many costumes, wedding and prom dresses. She loved to assist with the designs and construction of parade floats. She was a Master Gardener who nurtured beautiful flowers at the Alanson Hillside Garden and her own yard. A hands-on approach to home improvement was a place for her unique creativity. Gertrude's lemon meringue pie was a work of art. She loved her dogs and rescued several over the years. Spending time with her many lady friends many adventures.
Mrs. Fairbairn is survived by her five children and ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren; Ruth her best friend/sister and Lyle, her brother-inlaw; as well as many nieces and nephews who also survive her. Her sister Beverly Luebert and brother Dale Peterson preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held on May 14th at 11:00am at the Stone Funeral Home. Pastor Glen McIntyre of the Burt Lake Christian Church officiated. The family received friends at the funeral home on May 14th from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Memorial contributions were directed as follows: Humane Society, the Hillside Gardens, or to "just plant a tree somewhere special."
A Message from Mrs. Fairbairn’s Family:
"We are so very grateful for her love of family. ‘Mom', ‘Grandma,' and ‘GG' was forever thinking of free, simple and memorable ways to entertain her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all cherish the many ways she shared her gifts with us.”
Source: Stone Funeral Home Obituaries
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