Jennie Alexander

Jennie Anne Alexander died November 8, 2022 in Marquette, Michigan, three days before her 92nd birthday. She was born November 11, 1930, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the seventh of nine children of Paul Zeppa (1883-1942) and Anna Kwolek Zeppa (1893-1978). She was predeceased by her husband, Dale Alexander (1932-2007) of Dafter, Mich. They married Oct. 22, 1960 in a joyous celebration that spanned two nations, two halls and three dance bands. A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, she was funny, feisty, and a devout Catholic. Jennie and Dale loved to jitterbug and polka, and went dancing nearly every weekend of their 46-year marriage. She worked for many years as the bookkeeper for Sault Ontario's James Street Hardware. Once married, she kept the books for their trucking and snow-plowing business, volunteered in the schools and in the War Memorial Hospital gift shop, and became a loyal Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings fan. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She encouraged them to develop both roots and wings, and cheered on their adventures. She was a loving mother, mother-in-law and grandmother to Mary Jane Alexander and her husband, Edward Knight, of Oklahoma City, and their children Alexander Knight of Hollywood, Calif., and Allegra Knight Keeling (Eli) of Oklahoma City; Steven and Sheilah Alexander of Madison Heights, Mich., and their children Stephanie (Kyle) Bell of Rochester Hills, Mich., and daughter Charlotte Bell, Victoria Alexander of Hazel Park, Mich., and John Alexander of Seattle, Wash; and Jeff and Kathy Alexander of Negaunee, Mich., and their children Nathan Alexander of Dana Point, Calif., and Jayne Alexander and her husband, Kody Norwood, of Nashville, Tenn. Dear sister and longtime canasta partner of her siblings: the late Joe Zeppa, late Kazik "Boots" Zeppa, late Helen Dumanski, late Stella "Tefee" Clulow, late Stanley "Speed" Zeppa, late Mildred "Mechee" Pagnucco as well as Mary "Monia" Bischak of Clifton, N.J., and Ann "Honia" and brother-in-law Carl Eagle of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Sister-in-law of the late Jewell Alexander Andary, Peggy Kaunisto, and Betty Miller. She was the chronicler of Zeppa family history, proudly adding births and marriages of her parents' 100-plus descendants to an ever-growing register. She was a special aunt and godmother to many nieces and nephews, renowned for her potluck barbecued meatballs, Jello salads, Scotch-a-roos and Thanksgiving pies. A gathering of family and friends will take place Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. Gifts made in lieu of flowers will be donated in honor of Jennie to Alzheimer's research.

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Jennie Alexander

November 11, 1930 - November 8, 2022