Jeanette Dryden

Jeanette Marie Dryden, age 64 of East Geyer Road, Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Hospice House, South Bend following an extended illness. She was born May 29, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan to Tom & Grace (Minahan) St. Denis.

Jeanette attended Frasier High School and Northern Michigan University. On August 16, 1969 in Fraser, Michigan she married Dennis D. Dryden, he survives. She and her family moved to the Niles area in 1977, coming from Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Jeanette was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, was a teacher for Sylvester Elementary School in Berrien Springs and volunteered helping the hearing impaired. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and reading mystery stories.

Survivors include husband Dennis Dryden of Niles, sons Matthew (& Hope) Dryden of Mooresville, North Carolina and Andrew (& Amy) Dryden of Lombard, Illinois, grandchildren Abigail, Jack, Grant & Aubrey. Also surviving are siblings Elizabeth Borek of Memphis, Michigan, John Melvin of Fraser, Michigan, Karen Grieves of Ionia, Michigan, Joanne Baker of Roseville, Michigan and Mary Fell of Marine City, Michigan and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Joe Melvin.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Jeanette Marie Dryden will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 19, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles, with the Rev. David Otto of the parish officiating and will be concelebrated by both Rev. William Melody, C.S.C., of Notre Dame, Indiana and Deacon Roger Gregorski of the Saint Mary Parish, Niles. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-7:00p.m. on Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles and will conclude with a Rosary Service at 7:00p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jeanette may be made to Saint Mary Catholic School in Niles or to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care in South Bend.