Mary Medema

Mary Medema was a woman who knew better than anyone that home is where the heart is. She was a Realtor by trade, who helped people find a place to call home. She was even better at creating a loving home for her family, as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Mary’s story began on a hot summer day in 1922, in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, during the dawn of the Roaring 20s. On August 22, 1922, Mary was born and raised along with her sisters, Gladys and Helen, by her aunt Shirley Westfare.

Mary was raised in Kalamazoo, and after she graduated from high school, she headed off to the Windy City, where she attended the Chicago Institute of Art and Design. There she met a handsome young man named Herman Medema, and the sparks flew between them. They began dating, and were married in 1946.

The newlyweds settled in Chicago, and it wasn’t long before they became parents. The couple was blessed with three wonderful kids over the years, Mary, Joyce and Herm, who filled their parents with pride and joy.

In 1954, the family packed up and left the city, moving to the sandy shores of Holland, Michigan. When her children were old enough, Mary started her own business, called Medema Statewide Real Estate, which she ran successfully for 14 years.

When she retired, Mary enjoyed researching her family tree, reading, and singing in the choir at Prospect Christian Reformed Church. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society, and very active at Evergreen Commons, too.

Mary and Herman also traveled some, and Herm bought a motor home that Mary didn’t particularly enjoy, but put up with. She much preferred quiet days fishing in their small boat they always kept.

Sadly, Mary lost both her husband in 1996, and later her daughter Mary in 1998, which was difficult for her. Her beloved aunt Shirley later died in 2001. She persevered through the love of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and adored each and every one of them.

Eventually, Mary’s health began to decline, and she sadly died at Holland Hospital on Monday, March 17, 2008, at the age of 85.

Mary was a wonderful woman, who knew better than anyone that home is where the heart is. She was a Realtor by trade, who helped people find homes, but she was even better at creating a loving home for her family. More than anything, Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, whose love lives on in them today. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children, Joyce Stancill of Ludington and Herm D. and Shirlee Medema of Grandville; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; her sister, Helen Gibson of Winter Park, FL; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wilbur Medema, Jane and John Rozeboom, Harriet Bassler, Margaret Mastenbrook, and Dorothy and Ed Hilton all of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00am at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St. with Rev. Stan Scripps officiating.

Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 188 West 32nd St and also on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00am at the church.

Memorial gifts may be given to Hospice of Holland or Evergreen Commons.

Arrangements by the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Mary, or to sign the online guestbook.