Cynthia Star

A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Cynthia Ann Star will always be remembered as having a servant’s heart. Cynthia was a Godly woman who was always on the go. She was up-beat, adventurous, positive, and gave the best hugs. No matter life’s challenges, Cynthia faced them head on with perseverance. Cynthia was devoted to her family. Throughout life, she made sure that her family was always her top priority. Many memories have been left behind by Cynthia, and her family and friends will cherish those precious times with her forever.

The 1930s is most famous for the Great Depression which was triggered by the Wall Street crash in late 1929. It was the longest and most severe economic downturn in modern history and marked a steep decline in industrial production, mass unemployment, a banking crisis, and sharp increases in rates of poverty and homelessness. For entertainment during this time, families often listened to the radio seeing as 40% of American families owned one. The United States also suffered the worst drought in history leading to the Dust Bowl years. Despite all the turmoil surrounding them, parents, Ralph & Tena (Hofstra) Glass, had reason to celebrate as they had just welcomed their fourth child, Cynthia. Being one of ten children meant that there was never a dull moment in the Glass household. The family never owned a car, so they walked everywhere they needed to go. Ralph worked in a furniture factory and Tena was a homemaker. The family attended Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church where Cynthia learned to fiercely love God. A love that would continue for the rest of her life.

The Glass siblings loved going to Richmond Park and sledding on the big hill when the snow fell. As a teen, Cynthia and her sisters would go to Grand Haven beach to soak up the sun and swim in Lake Michigan. Cynthia attended West Side Christian School and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School. In high school Cynthia met the love of her life, John Star. The couple dated for four years before joining in marriage in June of 1952 at Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Cynthia and John settled in an apartment for a short time, but they built their own house on an acre of land on Leonard Street given to them by John’s father. Graduating from Blodgett Nursing School with an LPN, Cynthia continued her work at Blodgett Hospital in pediatrics. She worked there until she had her children and then devoted herself completely to her family.

Cynthia was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She sewed clothes for her three children and was always extremely supportive and involved in their lives. The family attended East Leonard Christian Reformed Church. They took many trips to Ludington and Muskegon for camping stays. Each trip entailed a two week stay. John would help everyone set up the campsite and then return home for work. Cynthia would stay and tend to the campsite with the kids; she loved camping and fishing. One year, the family enjoyed a Christmas Eve campout on the living room floor.

In her spare time, Cynthia enjoyed knitting, sewing, walking, fishing, and camping. She was always an active person and never sat down. Cynthia loved spending time with her twelve grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. She made sure to make each one feel special by attending their special events and taking them camping. Whenever a new baby was born in the family, Cynthia would knit them a sweater. Cynthia was also always involved at her church. She served as a Girls Club leader and joined John in his retirement ministry of helping widows with plumbing/fix-it needs. Every winter Cynthia and her sisters would go to Florida and clean a condo and then stay for free for two weeks. Cynthia survived and persevered through a breast cancer diagnosis in the early 1990s. She was a fighter and accomplished whatever she put her mind to. Cynthia and John took many trips together after he retired. Camping out west and two trips to Africa and Alaska. To capture these trips Cynthia enjoyed taking many photographs.

Cynthia was the kind of woman that lived life to its fullest. Always up to something or helping someone out. She made sure to be the rock and foundation for her family. If anyone needed something, they could always turn to Cynthia. Her positive energy and perseverance were contagious and inspired all those around her. Famous actor, Michael J. Fox, once said, “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” Cynthia certainly lived her life proving that family truly is everything.

Obituary

STAR, Cynthia A.

Grand Rapids, MI

Loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away December 22, 2021. Cynthia was born March 29, 1932 in Grand Rapids to the late Ralph and Tena (Hofstra) Glass. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Star; siblings, Connie Weston, Emily DeWitt, and Ralph, Walter and Henry Glass. Cynthia loved camping and the UP, but she will be best remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and “GG” to her grandkids. She is survived by her children, Thomas (Lisa) Star, Mariclaire (Rick) Rozema, Carol (Dan) Holwerda; 12 grandchildren; and 27 great grandchildren. Cynthia is also survived by her siblings, Thomas (Charlene) Glass, Richard (Gayle) Glass, Robert (Dorothy) Glass, Ross (Gerda) Glass; sisters-in-law, Mildred Glass, Linda Glass, Marilyn Glass, Carolyn Huissen; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Wednesday December 29, 2021 at 11 AM at East Leonard CRC , 1027 Leonard St NE where friends may visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. Memorials may be made to Holland Home Foundation/ Memory Care.