Lonette Marie Morley DAR, MA

February 21, 1938 - January 27, 2022

Lonette Marie Morley, DAR, MA Lonette (“Lonnie”) Marie Morley, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family at the age of 83 on January 27, 2022. She will be forever cherished by her husband of 58 years, Dr. George Malcolm Morley; her four children: Kirsten Ryan (Michael) of Avon; CT, Robert Morley, D.O., of Marquette, MI; Alison Young (Todd) of Traverse City, MI; and Gretchen Ross of Fife Lake, MI; and her three grandchildren: (James Ryan, Jack Ryan, and Evie Ross). Lonnie, born in Reading, PA, was the only child of Alvin Franklin Steffy and Elizabeth Lucille (Scholz) Steffy. They relocated to Wayne, MI when Lonnie was in high school. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Textiles, Clothing, and Related Arts. During and after college, she worked as a guide at Greenfield Village and, after completing some post graduate work, she began her career as an English and Journalism teacher in the Dearborn public schools. Lonnie met Malcolm at a dance and mentioned that she was a guide at Greenfield Village. A few weeks later, Malcolm found her there and asked her to have coffee with him at the Dearborn Inn. A year later, in 1963, they were married in the Martha Mary Chapel at Greenfield Village. They bought their first home in the Ford Foundation. When quarters became tight, they relocated to Birmingham, MI, where they spent the next 20 years. While orchestrating the schedules of four active children, Lonnie shared her love of learning and teaching in a myriad of ways. She and Malcolm led the local Great Books Program, teaming with other parents to help young students analyze classic children’s literature; she obtained her Master of Arts Degree in English Literature from Oakland University; and she became a popular and highly esteemed adult learning instructor of creative writing, GED preparation, and bridge in Dearborn Public Schools and at the Birmingham Community House. An experience she cherished was guest lecturing at Hillsdale College on the Herbs of Shakespeare and Shakespeare’s true identity. Lonnie’s talent for writing and editing were well known within the organizations she joined. She served as Editor of The Herbarist (National Herb Society), Editor of AHAA Newsletter (American Association of Handwriting Analysts), and Editor of The Leelanau Trumpeter (Republican Women of Leelanau County). She was an active, life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served a term as Regent for the Piety Hill Chapter. In 1997 Malcolm and Lonnie relocated to Northport. They embraced the community, joining the Northport Supper Club, attending Northport Covenant Church, serving at Pancake Flyins, and performing in the Northport Community Arts Center’s production of the Sound of Music. Lonnie and Malcolm filled their home with their close friends, wonderful neighbors, children, and grandchildren. Lonnie loved playing pinochle with her family and bridge with her friends, had a soft spot for all animals but especially dogs, and always had her nose in a good book! Services will be held in the spring, and you may contact Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home at 231.947.6347 for details.