Nancy J. Morse

Nancy J. Morse, age 77 of Commerce Township, passed away January 19, 2024.
Born in Bay City, Michigan to Helen (nee. Brauner) and Kenneth McCarty, Nancy spent her childhood surrounded by family and friends. A dedicated older sister, she helped to raise her younger siblings while her mother, Helen, worked to support the family following Nancy's father's death. Nancy attended Bay City Central High School. Her teenage years were filled with music and socializing, a pastime that led her to meet her highschool sweetheart, a handsome young drummer named Robert Owen Morse. They married in 1964 and immediately began their family.
The Morse's early years were busy: raising three children, playing gigs for Robert's band on Friday and Saturday nights, attending large Sunday family dinners at the grandparents' house, and saving to build their first new home in Bangor Township. The couple believed passionately in the strength of family and friends, and their children happily recall memories of gatherings full of Polka music, dancing, laughter, and love. They took great pride in their family, enjoying camping and school events for their children, playing cards with family and friends, and taking their children on impromptu weekend trips. Although these early years were not without challenges, through their hard work and Nancy's unflagging resourcefulness, the family always found a way to have fun and to celebrate the people that mattered most. Once their children grew older, Nancy and Robert discovered sailing, a passion that grew exponentially alongside the size of each new sailboat. Weekends and summers shifted from last minute car trips to sailboat racing on Lake Erie with Nancy often at the helm. They enjoyed this special time in their life for several years before Robert's passing in May of 2000.
In her later years, Nancy spent much of her time pursuing her hobbies and treasuring her time with her family, her greatest love and achievement. An adventurous soul, she traveled often, sometimes with friends and other times to see her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to share stories of her trips to far-off places like Japan, South Korea, Tahiti, France, Iceland, and more. In addition to traveling, Nancy enjoyed many hobbies at home: volunteering, shopping, sewing, ceramics, making blankets, boating, crocheting, and, of course, watching the Detroit Red Wings, the Lions, and the Tigers. Nancy was profoundly generous, a person who would always help when needed. Known at the local elementary school as "Grandma Nancy", she was awarded the Golden Apple Award and the Michigan PTA Distinguished Service Award from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools for her dedication to children, her work in the community, and her efforts each Christmas to ensure that families in need received gifts under their Christmas Tree and food in their kitchen. Friends and family also benefited from her generosity, and one always felt fortunate indeed to receive a handmade blanket, a crocheted dishcloth, a baby's layette, or just a little extra help when it was needed most.
When Nancy received the sad news of her cancer diagnosis, she opted to make the very most of her final days. She inspired and stunned those around her with a desire to live every remaining moment as best as she could with those she loved and cherished. In her final moments, she left this world surrounded by those who loved her in the comfort of her home.
Nancy is survived by her children, Michelle (Dave Lang) Fiebke-Lang, Robert (Dawn) Morse, and Michael (Yuko) Morse; her grandchildren, Adam Lang, Zachary (Jordan) Fiebke, EricaRae (Kelly) Lang, Derek (Heather) Morse, Nicholas Fiebke, Milo (Samantha) Morse and Moeko Morse; her great-grandchildren, Addison, Mya, Reika, Knox, Howie, Kai, Blake, and Brooks. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Morse; her parents Helen and Kenneth McCarty; her brothers James and Chris McCarty; and her sister Elizabeth LaGrow. Left to cherish Nancy's memory is her beloved niece Kelly Felker (McCarty), lovely sister-in-laws, and Nancy's two brothers, Gordon and Kenneth McCarty, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Visitation for Nancy will be held Friday, January 26th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Service at 7:00 p.m. at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 608 N. Madison Ave, Bay City, MI 48708. A private family burial at St. Stanislaus Cemetery will take place on Saturday, January 27, at 11:00 a.m.
The family encourages family and friends to attend an open house Celebration of Life. The event will take place Saturday - between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Washington Lanes, 1205 Washington Ave., Bay City, MI 48708.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nancy's name may be directed to the Bay City Music Center (Herter Music Center), Robert O. Morse Music Scholarship or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.