Jean Sparks Ducey

No services are planned for Jean Sparks Ducey, 93, Lawrence. She donated her body to the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.Ms. Ducey died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.She was born Jan. 17, 1915, on the family’s original homestead in Berrien County, Mich., the daughter of Levi Jay Sparks and Verna May Young. She lived most of her life in Niles, Mich., before she moved to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.Ms. Ducey worked as a librarian in the Niles, South Bend, Cass and Berrien County libraries. She was a writer, and her poetry, essays, stories and articles were widely published. She wrote two historical novels for young readers that won publishing awards.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Edward Ducey, on Oct. 7, 1973; and a sister, Edith L. McCoy, in 2007.Survivors include two sons, John Michael Ducey and wife Constance, Lawrence, and Jay Patrick Ducey and wife, Mary Gay, Berkeley, Calif.; four grandchildren, Michelle Growcock and Brie, Mark J. and Seth Ducey; a niece, Cathy McCoy; and five great-grandchildren, Nathaniel John and Benjamin George Growcock, Harper Rae and Tucker Zane Gibbons and Carter Jay Ducey.The family suggests memorials to Hospice Care in Douglas County, the Good Samaritan Fund at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor or a public library of the donor’s choice, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.Online condolences may be sent at www.warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Ducey.