The Celebration of Life Experts
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-life-panel.jpg

Elizabeth McMorrow

March 14, 1915 - February 12, 2005
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-01.jpg



Visitation

Wednesday, February 16, 2005
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Thursday, February 17, 2005
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-05.jpg
Print

Elizabeth A. McMorrow was an elegant woman who lived a life of service – to her family, her faith, and the many children she helped during her years with the Comstock Public Schools. One can only hope to leave a legacy of love with the breadth and depth of Elizabeth's legacy.

In the year 1915, World War I was raging in Europe, and although the United States had not yet entered the struggle, all eyes were on the tense happenings across the Atlantic. In Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1915 was relatively quiet and a good place to raise a family. On March 14, 1915, William and Ruby (Owens) Cagney were at the old Borgess Hospital, welcoming the birth of their first child, Elizabeth. As time went on, Elizabeth was joined by siblings William, Kathryn, George, and Helen. The Cagney household was a busy place indeed, and Elizabeth had warm memories of growing up on the family farm.

Elizabeth's early life was marked by a traumatic event in the family. When she was eight, her father lost his leg due to an illness. This only served to strengthen the family bonds. Elizabeth attended school in a one-room rural schoolhouse and continued her education at Western State High School. When she was 13 years old, she had a driver's license and drove herself and her siblings to school. Elizabeth graduated from high school in the early 1930's. Knowing the importance of a good education, she enrolled in Western Michigan University. As happened to many of her contemporaries, the Depression forced a change in Elizabeth's plans. She withdrew from college and got a job first as a secretary at the Kalamazoo State Hospital, and then as an operator for the telephone company. Later in life, Elizabeth returned to school, and in 1965 received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Nazareth College. Several years later she received her master's degree from Western Michigan University.

She spent her teaching career working with students in the Comstock Schools, primarily as a fifth grade teacher and reading specialist at the Gull Road School. She retired in 1982 after sixteen years of service.

In 1943 Elizabeth renewed her acquaintance with a young man named George McMorrow while visiting her brother, George, who was in the service and stationed in Colorado Springs. The young couple fell in love and were married on April 15, 1944 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kalamazoo. For a while, George was stationed in Topeka, Kansas, and upon his discharge they returned to the Kalamazoo area, where he resumed his position as an assistant professor of philosophy at Nazareth College. An acute housing shortage existed in Kalamazoo after the war, so for the next few years, Elizabeth and George lived on the family farm. They were eventually able to build their own home on Fairfield Avenue.

Elizabeth and George were blessed with five children who shared their commitment to family – David, Mary, Timothy, Greg, and Judith. As Elizabeth and George's children described it, they were given a lot of freedom and were expected not to abuse it. The family home was often referred to as "Grand Central Station," for it was a spot where family and friends were always welcome and could always be found. Elizabeth was both resourceful and gracious, and always accommodating to all her guests. Elizabeth was a wonderful cook and the family looked forward to her delicious meals. She also loved exotic foods - a taste that George did not always share.

Elizabeth and George loved the time they spent together. It was often said that George would initiate an idea and Elizabeth would bring it to fruition. She was a member of the Nazareth Alumni Association and of the Catholic Daughters of America. George and Elizabeth were charter members of St. Ambrose Parish and, later in life, Elizabeth was a member of St. Augustine Cathedral Parish.

George passed away in 1988. Elizabeth continued to live in the house on Fairfield Avenue until 1998, when she became part of the community at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. In 2003, she moved into the Health Care Center where she resided until her death.

Elizabeth McMorrow will be deeply missed. Her legacy of love and dedication leaves her extended family and friends with wonderful memories and many great stories. She was a classy woman who gracefully managed the last years of her life despite the ravages of Parkinson's disease. She taught us all how to cope with life's demands.

Elizabeth A. McMorrow, age 89, died Sunday February 13, 2005 at the Health Care Center of Friendship Village. Learn more about Elizabeth, view her Life Story Film, and visit with her family and friends Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive, West of U.S. 131, where a prayer service will be held Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral with Fr. John Grathwol celebrating. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Food and fellowship will be provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph and will be held at Nazareth.

Elizabeth was preceded in death in by her husband, George, one brother, George Cagney, one sister, Helen Northam, and two brothers-in-law, Herb Sheridan and James Northam. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: David and Mary McMorrow of Kalamazoo; Mary and Jerry Howarth of Toronto, Ontario; Timothy McMorrow and Ann Byrne of Grand Rapids; Greg and Marcia McMorrow of Kalamazoo; Judith McMorrow and Richard Reilly of Newton, MA. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren: Michael, Patrick, and Kathleen McMorrow; Ben and Joe Howarth; Shannon and Ryan McMorrow; Julia, Elizabeth, and Anna Reilly; and by many nieces and nephews. Please visit Elizabeth's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of St. Joseph.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/002/5669/5669-05.jpg