By Staff
Jean Sparks Ducey, aged 93, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Presbyterian Manor, Lawrence, Kan.
At her request there will be no services. She has donated her body to the University of Kansas Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 17, 1915 on the family's original homestead in Berrien County, the daughter of Levi Jay Sparks and Verna May Young.
For most of her life she remained in Niles, working as a librarian at the Niles, South Bend, Cass, and Berrien County libraries before moving to the Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband, John Edward Ducey of Niles, on Oct. 7, 1973, and by her sister, Edith L. McCoy of Lawrence in 2007.
As a writer, Ms. Ducey's poetry, essays, stories and articles were widely published. Two of her historical novels for young readers won publishing awards.
She is survived by two sons, John Michael (Constance) Ducey, of Lawrence, Kansas and Jay Patrick (Mary Gay) Ducey, of Berkley Calif.; four grandchildren, Michelle Growcock, Brie Ducey, Mark J. Ducey and Seth Ducey; a niece,Cathy McCoy and five great-grandchildren, Nathaniel John Growcock, Benjamin George Growcock, Harper Rae Gibbons, Tucker Zane Gibbons, and Carter Jay Ducey
The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Hospice, to The Good Samaritan Fund at the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, or, to the public library of the donor's choice.
Arrangements were by Warren-McElwain Mortuary of Lawrence, Kan.