Barbara Mackey (Wiersema)

Barb Mackey was a beautiful person to know and to love. Known for her genuine and good-natured personality, she treated every person she met with kindness. Barb lived a driven life and held a strong passion for family. There is no doubt she will be dearly missed by her special friends and loved ones.

Her story began in 1944. Barbara Jeanne was born the oldest child to Charles and Mildred Wiersma on March 24th on the military base at Camp Blanding, Florida. Her father was a WWII officer at the time. Her birth was a sign of hope and promise during a unique time in our nation’s history.

Growing up, Barb and her siblings moved around a lot after their father was out of the service. Michigan then became their permanent home. She was a well-behaved child who provided the best of care to her younger twin siblings, Ron and Carol. She loved doting on them and treating them to warm, cooked meals in her teen years. She was a proud graduate of Forest Hills Central and earned an Associate’s Degree from Grand Rapids Junior College. Barb enjoyed working at Montgomery Wards and Amway as a customer service supervisor. Her delightful personality was the perfect match for working with the public. She was easy-going and put everyone’s mind at ease.

Barb had three beautiful children, Troy, Todd, and Kelli. She met Merrill in the mid-70s through Merrill’s father and gained a daughter, Bobbi, in 1975. Barb relished her years as a stay-at-home mom, working part-time until the kids were in school, and then she went full-time at Amway. She and Merrill loved taking their family on trips to Cedar Point, Disney and SeaWorld in Florida, the Wisconsin Dells, Niagara Falls, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. They also enjoyed time at Big Star Lake at Merrill’s parents’ trailer. Each summer, they opened up their home to countless pool parties and loved entertaining family and friends. Their children were accustomed to having guests and company over at the holiday season as well. Barb loved to cook and took great satisfaction in preparing weeks ahead of time for her Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Her delicious cream puffs, Rusk pie, and apple crisps were savored by everyone around the table. As a mother, Barb was strict yet supportive. She modeled for her children a lifetime of being resilient and independent.

As much as she loved her family, Barb also enjoyed surrounding herself with people. She and her best friend, Faye, were Statler Brothers groupies. They would follow the group on tour and often take their daughters along for the ride. She loved music, especially country music, and the Statler Brothers was her favorite group of all time. An avid reader, Barb loved keeping up on historical topics. She always had a book around. When she wasn’t reading, she was crafting and sewing. She had a creative flair for decorating and loved to add color to any room or outfit! She loved the color purple and her special turquoise glasses! Barb never found a dull moment; she was always busy and looking forward to the next trip or project.

When Merrill passed away in 1995, she met Richard Mackey at Retreads, a local widower’s group. They got married in 1998, joining their two families. Barb gained four steps sons along with their families in her marriage. Barb and Richard shared a love of travel and enjoyed camping together with their dog, Teezer. They were excellent campground hosts in Evart. Barb would also enjoy making homemade dinners for Ron. The two of them loved being active in their church, Marne United Methodist, as well as their apartment complex, Kensington Preserve Apartments. Most of the time, they played cards and games as well as attended their grandchildren’s sporting events. Barb treasured her years as a grandmother. She spent many visits crafting with them and especially loved their shopping trips and teaching them how to cook. The grandchildren shared many fond memories with them over the years.

A highlight of recent years was spending time with her family and friends. Barb and her daughter Kelli, would enjoy celebrating their birthday month together. A favorite getaway was to go to Frankenmuth and stay at the Drury Inn. They would shop and then get stuffed on chicken dinners and their three free drinks back at the Drury Inn! A fond memory for her 80th birthday was taking a cruise with her family. When she visited her son, Troy, she relaxed by the flower garden and pond in the backyard. Her son, Todd, would answer her many requests to make cabinets for her and help her with home repairs and projects. The two of them shared a common sense of humor and bonded over the 30th birthday boob cake she made for him! Barb always looked forward to sharing time with her boss, who turned into a best friend. They would try out Mexican restaurants, shop, and enjoyed booking a room at the Staffer Inn in Petoskey. When her health began to slow her down, she enjoyed her crafting and gardening. Above all else, Barb lived her life to the fullest.

Sadly, she is gone. A bubbly and fun person who loved to laugh, her loving presence will be deeply missed. She leaves behind a rich collection of loving her family unconditionally. May her beautiful memories remain in the hearts of her friends and loved ones forevermore.

Barbara Jeanne Mackey (Wiersema), aged 81, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away September 18, 2025. Barb is preceded in death by her husband, Merrill Doorn, in 1995; husband, Richard Mackey, in 2025; her sister, Carol Walters; and brother-in-law, Dennis Walters. She is survived by her children, Troy (Michelle) Sremba, Todd Sremba, Kelli (Tim) Hinton; Merrill’s daughter, Bobbi (Shane) Shuttuck; her brother, Ronald Wiersema; Richard’s children, Kevin (Jill) Mackey, Ryan Mackey, Tod (Lisa) Mackey, Bret (Lisa) Mackey; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to visit with Barb’s family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt-Shawmut Chapel, (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504) on October 24th, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. A memorial service is to follow at 12:30 PM. Family members/friends can attend a graveside service at Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery (50 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI. 49534) at 2:00 pm.

Memorial contributions in Barb’s memory can be made to The American Heart Association. To share a memory or favorite photo, or to sign Barb’s guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.