Obituary of Christine E Ronan

Born February 24, 1932, in Chicago, IL; Died February 13, 2023, in Port Charlotte, FL Christine “Teen” E. Ebbesen Nevans Ronan, 90, died suddenly Monday, February 13, 2023, while vacationing with family in Florida, one of her favorite places. Teen was a resident of Cedarbrook of Plymouth, Michigan, and formerly of East Lansing, Michigan and The Villages, Florida. She leaves five children: daughters, Kimberly D’Avanzo and Linda (Craig) Brown; and sons, Michael (Teri) Ronan; Scott (Renee) Ronan; and A.J. (Jennifer) Ronan; as well as 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Arthur P. Ronan; her mother, Ebba Ebbesen Nevans; her sister, Sherry Nevans Raynor; and her sonin-law, Ronald P. D’Avanzo.

 Teen was born in Chicago, Illinois February 24, 1932, where her father, James Nevans, was a police patrolman during the height of the Depression. She earned the nickname “Tuffy” and it would come to suit her as she met life with a positive attitude and a determination to move forward and through difficulties. As a toddler, Teen moved with her sister and mother to the Ebbesen family homestead in the small Upper Peninsula town of Masonville, Michigan when her parents’ marriage failed. Mother and daughters later moved to the resort town of South Haven, Michigan where Teen was an active member of South Haven High School Class of 1950 serving on the Senate, Annual (yearbook) staff, Choir, Usher Club and Prom Committee. Summers she worked towards college by waitressing and being a soda “jerk” at the local drug store. An excellent student, Teen won a scholarship to study English at Michigan State College (later Michigan State University) when few women attended college.

 Always a hard worker, she was a resident advisor in her dorm, pledged Kappa Delta, and waited tables each summer at resorts in Ludington, MI and Land of Lakes, WI to pay her expenses. Teen graduated from Michigan State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. In September 1954, Teen married fellow Spartan, Art. They set up a house in a tiny upstairs apartment a bus trip away from her job as a secretary at General Motors in downtown Detroit. Exhibiting their life-long ability to save and spend smart, they bought their first home in Dearborn Heights before Kim’s birth in early 1956. A talented seamstress, Teen made the curtains, and they used “Paint by Numbers” pictures to decorate. Homes in Dearborn, MI – with the birth of Linda and Michael – and West Bloomfield/Orchard Lake, MI – with the birth of Scott and A.J. – followed.

 According to her children, Teen was the Best Mom – always supportive, and tough when it was needed. She taught them to have each other’s back, to give their best, to finish what they started, to be kind, and help others. She sat on the PTA and acted as a homeroom mother, Girl Scout camping chaperone, catechism teacher, and chauffeur to games and practices. She taught them to sew, cook, bake, garden, create, and pursue their interests. She expected them to make their beds, clean their rooms, make their own lunch for school, and keep their own schedules straight and on the big family calendar so she knew where they were.

Teen enjoyed traveling to Europe, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Mexico, Caribbean islands, and many states – including Alaska and Hawaii. She also experienced the Montreal Olympics, two Super Bowl games, tennis at Wimbledon, a Space Shuttle launch, and golf at the Masters and PGA tournaments. A life-long learner, Teen bought Apple’s early Macintosh computer and took classes with her youngest son. Learning to frame pictures and paintings was another talent. She knit and crocheted beautiful blankets, sweaters, hats, mittens, and slippers. An excellent cook, her family enjoyed home-cooked meals, cookies, and pies. Teen took up a variety of sports when the opportunity arose including golf, tennis, and bowling where she entered the 200 Club. She joined her husband, hunting, and was a natural fisherwoman, often catching the most fish. An avid sports fan, she loved watching golf, her MSU Spartans, and Detroit’s professional teams. Her favorite games to watch, though, involved her children and grandchildren.

 Family was the center of Teen’s life, and she treasured time spent with her family, including nieces and nephews and close family friends. Creating a strong, close-knit family who enjoys spending time together takes time, effort, and unrelenting love. Teen gave that gift to many, and she will be remembered and cherished by them all.

 A memorial for Teen Ronan will be held Friday, March 17, 2023, at: St. Kenneth’s Catholic Church, 14951 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth, MI Gathering in the Church lobby at 11:30 a.m. and Mass at noon. Donations in Teen’s memory can be made to Progressive Lifestyles, Inc., c/o Jennifer Williams, 1370 N. Oakland Blvd., Waterford, MI 48327