Obituary of Sarah Rose Tennyson
Sarah Rose Widener was born on October 14, 1940, in Seattle, Washington. She was one of three children born to Charles Widener and the former Marjorie Covey. As a young girl, Sarah moved with her family to Dundee, Michigan. In 1959, she graduated from Dundee High School.
On July 28, 1962, Sarah wed the love of her life, Donald Tennyson. The couple were blessed with three children. In addition to caring for her family, Sarah was employed for a time as a nurse’s aide. She later became the Activities Director at Beach Nursing Home in Monroe, Michigan for fifteen years.
After earning a cosmetology license, Sarah opened her own beauty shop which she operated for fifteen years, retiring in 1999. Not one to stay idle, she then began working part time at the McDonald’s restaurant on LaPlaisance Road in Monroe. Very outgoing and friendly, she soon became everyone’s “Grandma”.
Sarah and Don enjoyed watching sports together with the pair rarely missing a baseball game. An avid Detroit Tiger’s fan, Max Scherzer became her favorite player. She even followed the pitcher’s career as he joined other Major League Baseball teams. In their younger days, Sarah and Don participated in a mixed bowling league together. They also enjoyed travel, spending time in Hawaii to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in 1987, and often visited extended members of the Tennyson family down South.
A wonderful cook, Sarah taught her daughter to make Southern biscuits and gravy from scratch. She frequently made her husband’s favorite meal, meatloaf for supper. Sarah liked to keep her mind sharp by working puzzle books and crosswords.
Sarah Rose Tennyson, age 82, of Monroe, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday; February 7, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her father: Charles Widener; mother: Marjorie Cravner; an infant granddaughter: Kristen; her father and mother in-law: Roy and Juanita Tennyson; a sister-in-law: JoAnn; and two brothers-in-law: Roy Jr. and Bob.
To cherish her memory, she leaves a loving husband of more than sixty years: Don Tennyson; three children: Brian (Julie) Tennyson of Pinckney, Michigan, Scott (Judy) Tennyson of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Shana Hayter (Thomas Moore) of Monroe; eight grandchildren: Nathan, Shelby, and Alyssa Tennyson, Tricia and Natalie Tennyson, and Kylie, Kobi, and Cade Hayter; five great grandchildren: Adalynn, twins, Vincent and Melody, Blake, and Enzo; one sister: Linnice Razook; one brother: William Charles Widener; three sisters in law: Wanda (Willard) Butler, Linda Tennyson and Mary Tennyson and one brother in law: Burton Spaulding.
Friends may gather on Monday; February 20, 2023, from 3:00pm until 6:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. A Celebration of Sarah’s Life will begin at 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Roy Southerland officiating. Cremation will follow at the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
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