Obituary of Jeanne S. Latcham

Jeanne Latcham Obituary

Birmingham – Jeanne was the heart, soul and matriarch of her family.  She will be remembered for her intellect, sense of humor, elegance, positive attitude, perseverance, strength, and most of all, love for her family.  She enjoyed nothing more than entertaining friends and family, which she did right up until the end—seeing every visit as a cause for celebration. Jeanne lived a full, long life with no regrets. 

Born in Detroit on September 22, 1925 to Marie (Shea) and Clement Shurmur, Jeanne passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at her home in Birmingham.  She shared fifty-nine wonderful years with her late husband, George, and was blessed with four children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  In her final hours she excitedly spoke of her desire to reunite with her family and friends in heaven.

Jeanne grew up in Detroit where she graduated from Holy Redeemer High School and The University of Detroit. She later went on to earn a masters degree in guidance and counseling at Oakland University. Jeanne was very proud of her academic accomplishments and was a huge advocate for education as the key to success.  After nearly three decades as an educator and counselor, Jeanne dove into her retirement with gusto—traveling the world with George; volunteering in many roles at Cranbrook; and making many new friends through her YMCA walking group, the Village Club, and her associations with both St Thomas More and Holy Name parishes. Jeanne’s last seven years at All Seasons were a delight-  she particularly enjoyed 5pm cocktails and dinner with friends each night!

Jeanne is survived by her four children: Patrick Latcham (Linda), Cie Marie Anderson (David), Kathy French (Greg) and Anne Umphrey (Bill).  Her grandchildren include Ryan, Kyle (deceased), Patrick Jr. and Eric Latcham; David Jr., Victoria and Elizabeth Anderson; Tom, Katie and JP French; and Duncan and Hillary Umphrey.  She has four great grandchildren: Patrick George Latcham III; Mary Jane and Elizabeth Latcham; and Eleanor French.

Jeanne’s life will be celebrated at a funeral Mass on Saturday, November 26th at 10am at Holy Name Catholic Church, Birmingham, MI, with a reception to follow at The Village Club, Bloomfield Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research to support the stewardship of the fountains and statuary in honor of the place she loved so well.