Phoebe P. Hannah
Lexington, KY
Formerly of Lansing, MI
Phoebe P. Hannah, (known to most as Phoebe or Aunt Phoebe) entered eternal life on Thursday, January 1, 2015, through natural causes. Her spirit is carried on by her three children, two grandchildren, six nieces and nephews, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. Phoebe has rejoined her beloved sisters and parents in her eternal life.
We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Phoebe during her 85 years, among them: Never throw away old sacks or ribbon, they can always be ironed and used again. No matter what you do, do your best. Take time wherever you are or wherever you go to walk through a museum and soak up the beauty displayed. Pay attention to history for there are endless lessons to be learned. Always use your best manners. If you can’t say anything nice do not say anything at all. Say your prayers every night for life is unpredictable. If someone you meet is from another country and you have trouble understanding them, learn to “listen with an accent.” Never say mean things about anybody; they are “poor souls to pray for.” Make the most of every day and listen to the music and dance. There is no excuse for picky eaters, there are starving children in Africa. Choose to believe the best about people no matter what they say. Honor veterans and their sacrifices, they are why we are here now. Those who’ve taken her lessons to heart will continue to ensure that museums will be visited, art will be appreciated, lessons will be learned, people will be treated kindly, meals will be enjoyed, music will be heard, life will be lived with gusto, and our veterans will be saluted.
Phoebe loved her three children, Sallie Rembert Ruff, Rebecca Porter Ruff, and Polly Ruff Peel; two grandchildren, Benjamin and Samuel Peel; six nieces and nephews, James McKouen, Michael McKouen, Pamela McMichael, Debra Falendore, Harry Dail, and Amy Stearns; her beloved sisters, Polly McKouen and Nancy Ouimet; everyone’s spouses; and her parents, Doris and James Armand Person.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Inurnment will follow in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. Friends (and strangers she would love to have met) can visit with Phoebe’s family at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m. Flowers are not necessary, however, if people are inclined, feel free to give a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/, or any charity that seeks to spread good.
