Tena Gould (Moss), 69

Tena Irene Gould (Moss) of Plainwell, (formerly of Three Rivers), age 69, passed away on May 26th, 2022, at her home. She was born to Alfie Moss and Irene Fitts on December 12, 1952, in Kalamazoo.

Tena was the youngest of four children. She graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1971. Her first child was born on December 7th, 1979, a baby girl named Megan. Her second child was born on July 21st, 1981, a baby boy named Ivan. Tena’s children were the light of her life. She loved her children, and her family, fiercely. There wasn’t anything that she wouldn’t do for her grandchildren either. Some might say she even loved those grands more than the originals. Tena had the best laugh and the biggest smile and an even bigger heart. She was truly beautiful, from the inside out.

Tena worked at Plainwell Community Schools while Megan and Ivan were growing up. She joked that it was a great way for her to keep tabs on what they were up to. She was always the first one to sign up to make something or chaperone a trip as well. She loved being the team mom for Megan’s many soccer teams and for all of Ivan’s basketball teams. She designed team shirts, organized schedules and never missed a game. Once the children had graduated, Tena took another career path.

Tena worked at Meijer, Inc. for close to 20 years. She loved her customers and would always have candy in her pocket to give to the kids. She was affectionately known as the Cheese Lady and she was definitely a perfectionist up until the day she retired, always keeping her cheesewall full.

Shortly after retiring, Tena became ill and was diagnosed with Stage 3A Liver Cancer. While that diagnosis only gave her 18 months, she was a fighter and she fought in any way she could. Tena lived 3 years past her diagnosis and loved every extra moment.

Tena is survived by her loving children; Megan (Todd) DeKoekkoek and Ivan Gould; her grandchildren; Brady Bainbridge, Avery Bainbridge and Landry DeKoekkoek; her niece Maxine (Mac) Kennedy; her nephews Mark (Theresa) Sussdorf and Mitchell Sussdorf, as well as other nieces and nephews; many great nieces/nephews.

Tena was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers (Joseph and Louis), her sister (Harriet) and her nephews (Mikel and Max).

The family would like to thank Wings of Hope Hospice for providing the loving care and support they provided to Tena in her last days of life.

There will be a memorial in Tena’s honor on June 27th, 2022, from 11-1 at Gun Plain Township Hall (381 8th St, Plainwell, MI, 49080). The family would like to invite all to stay for a small luncheon after the memorial. A short prayer will be said between the memorial and lunch. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan.

Arrangements by Simply Cremation & Funeral Care.