TRAVERSE CITY —
Jean Cram Cline, M.D., 86, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at home with her family Jan. 8, 2011.
Born in Cleveland on March 10, 1924, to Harry and Jessie (Erwin) Cram, she grew up in the newly developed Shaker Heights part of the city. She attended Wellesley College during World War II, graduating with a degree in Chemistry after three years.
After a period of research in Boston, she attended Western Reserve Medical School (now Case-Western Reserve University), where she met Ted Cline. The following August, they began the first of their 55 years of marriage. Jean trained in Pediatrics while Ted pursued General Surgery. Cathie and Bob were born during the last years of residency. In 1955 they moved their young family to Traverse City.
In 1960, then with their third and fourth children, Jack and Mike, and after Jean's extensive involvement in its design, they moved into their home on West Grand Traverse Bay where she would live the rest of her life.
When the children were old enough, in the mid-1970s, she returned to a part-time pediatric practice with Dr. Jim Johnston, then served as the physician for Interlochen Arts Academy. Unfortunately, her medical practice was curtailed with the onset of Meniere's disease, eventually successfully treated, but which took most of her hearing.
A curious and inveterate learner, she took years of courses offered at Northwestern Michigan College, particularly enjoying accounting, computer science and art courses. She was a gourmet cook, and an avid gardener. She loved birds and all animals, particularly the series of beagles, golden retrievers and black labs at home. She enjoyed flying with Ted in his Cessna-180, both on distant vacations and on photography flights, and organized and managed his business, Photair Inc.
She volunteered at the Women's Resource Center as if it were a part-time job through the 1990s, until Ted fell ill, and later volunteered for several years to help launch the low-income Traverse Health Clinic.
In her last years, as Alzheimer's disease stole her capacities, her frustration with her inabilities to help others as she always had, was more than matched by the grace with which she would submit to necessary care for her. Even over the recent holidays before her passing, her core kindness, remarkable wit and grace were always present.
A devoted and loving wife, an incredible and nurturing mother and grandmother, she will be missed and remembered fondly by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Cathie, Bob (Suzy), Jack, Michael (Shelley); granddaughters, Melinda, Sarah, Christina (Cody), Polly, Becca, Amanda and Meara; great-granddaughters, Audrey and Hallie; her niece, Margie; and several other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; parents, Harry and Jessie; sister, Polly; and brother, Spencer.
A visitation will be held for Jean Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wings of Wonder, Cherryland Humane Society or Munson Hospice.
Please sign Jean's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff funeral Home, Traverse City.