Grace Dean Rockey

ROCKEY, GRACE DEAN, age 98, of Waterford, Michigan passed peacefully on July 9, 2024. She was born on May 11, 1926, in Bay City, Michigan and as a young child moved to Williams Lake with her parents, the late Ernest and Beatrice Stevens (MacDougall). Dear wife of the late Waldo "Rock" Rockey, and loving mother of Steve (Marilyn) Rockey of Grand Blanc and Debra Rockey of Grand Rapids. Grace was the proud grandmother of Rachel (James) Lee, Ryan (Leighanna) Rockey, and Shawna Rockey. She was so blessed with eight beautiful great-grandchildren: Ira, Nora, and Arwin Rockey; and Naomi, Asher, Anna, Phoebe, and Lazarus Lee.

Grace was a compassionate nurse, receiving her RN training from the Army Cadet Nurse Corps from 1944-47 and received a post graduate scholarship from Wayne State University. In her career she cared for thousands of children at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Pediatrics Intensive Care, Drs. James and Dinger private practice, and Pontiac General Hospital. Her volunteer gifts were experienced with the Waterford Historical Society, the Baldwin Soup Kitchen, Canterbury on the Lake, and at Christ Lutheran Church – where she was an active and faithful member. As a Girl Scout, Grace spent many summers at Camp Sherwood and later became a Girl Scout leader for Troop 810 Waterford.

In addition to her love of fellowship, friendship, and family, Grace also loved to travel. She placed her feet in every one of the 50 United States, and also was able to grace her presence in Egypt, the Baltic (including Russia), Greece, Portugal, France, Ireland, Germany, China, South America (rounding Cape Horn), Southeast Asia, and Northern Canada. However, her favorite place in the world was Williams Lake.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Grace’s name may be made to: the Waterford Historical Society (https://www.waterfordhistoricalsociety.org/); the Military Women’s Memorial (https://womensmemorial.org/); or a charity of your choice. To leave a condolence, please visit; www.CoatsFuneralHome.com

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