Lucille Read

When reflecting on the overflowing life of Lucille Read, it is easy to see both her unyielding strength and her unwavering love for her family. She poured her heart and soul into serving her community, and she was a shining example of perseverance and faith. Nothing brought Lucy greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how brief or simple the moments. Her primary focus in life was building deep and personal relationships with those around her. Dearly missed, Lucy will be forever loved by all who knew her.

The 1930s are remembered as a time of great struggle for the United States and much of the world. The Great Depression had a stranglehold on the country, and many families strove to find a way to thrive in their time of need as tensions surrounding WWII were beginning to reach a boiling point. During these dark years, however, there was a ray of light for Frederick and Cora (Van Sluyters) Read of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they awaited the arrival of their baby. On June 7, 1937, they welcomed their daughter, Lucille Anne, into the world.

Growing up, Lucy was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home and attended local schools, including Sibley Elementary School, Stocking Elementary School, and Oakview Elementary School. At the age of 10, Lucy suffered a devastating blow with the loss of her mother. She lived in Cedar Springs, Michigan, for several years, attending schools there, before her family settled back down in Grand Rapids. Lucy graduated with honors from Union High School in 1955, eager to see what her future had in store.

Throughout her life, Lucy was never afraid to work hard in order to provide for herself. She entered the workforce with her first job as a bookkeeper at J.A. White Distributing Co. At the same time, Lucy worked for Cook Coffee Company. She later stepped into a career at Aetna Insurance Company, where she would spend the next 30 years working in the human resources department. After finishing her work at Aetna, Lucy worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation until she retired.

Of all the things Lucy loved in life, she treasured her family and friends above all else. She was a part of a very large family, which included her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, and her cousins. Lucy was very close with her cousins. After her father passed away in 1970, she moved from the family home and settled down in her Walters apartment on East Fulton Street. Lucy and her dear friend, Evelyn Martindale, traveled the world. They visited many national parks in the United States and Canada, and they especially enjoyed traveling in Southeast Asia. Following her car accident, Lucy leaned on the support of her friends and family. Her close friend, Sandra Koeman, happily helped care for her. Lucy considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, Lucy pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was very active in the West Michigan Genealogy Society, which allowed her to research her family history and trace her roots back to the 1400s. Lucy had a passion for history, and she was especially interested in the Civil War era. She loved music and sang in the church choir for many years, and she enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors. Lucy looked forward to meeting twice a year with her friends from the Pilgrimage Movement of the United Church at Kettunen Center in Tustin, Michigan.

Lucy found her church home at Wallin Congregational Church. She served in many roles in her church, including on the missionary board and as a trustee, a diaconate, a church school leader, and a youth leader. Lucy served for many years on the Board of Trustees and then as President for Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community. She spent 20 years on the Allocations and Review Committee of the United Way West Michigan. Lucy was also a liaison for D.A. Blodgett Service for the Families and Children, and she was a dedicated member of Rockford #215 order of the Eastern Star.

As family members and friends can certainly agree, Lucille Read truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She never took a single moment for granted, and she was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. Lucy was a friend to many and beloved by all she met. Her serving heart allowed her to impact the lives of countless others, and she was always willing to go above and beyond to serve those around her. Though she will be deeply missed, Lucy leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Ms. Lucille (Lucy) Anne Read, aged 87, passed through the door to eternal life on November 26, 2024. She was born on June 7, 1937 to Fredrick Joseph Read and Cora Van Sluyters Read. Celebrating her life is her dear friend, Sandra Koeman, as well as many other cousins and friends.

Lucille came from a large family including her grandmother, Lucy Gothiea Read, seven aunts and uncles, great aunts and great uncles, and five of her generation. She is survived today by two cousins, Mary Pyman Abouzeid and Ann Pyman Maslonka, and their families as well as five second cousins and their families.

Ms. Read was employed by the Aetna Life Insurance Company for over thirty years. She then went on to work for the Michigan Department of Transportation until she retired.

As a life-long member of Wallin Congregational Church, she served in many ways including as a moderator, a trustee, a diaconate, on the missionary board, as a church school teacher, and youth leader. Her love for music was evidenced in her singing in choir for many years. Lucille also served as a chancel choir director. She enjoyed nature and her many friends from the Pilgrimage Movement of the United Church, meeting twice yearly in retreats at Kettunen Center in Tustin, Michigan.

Over her many years Lucille served on the Board of Trustees for Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community and also as its President. For over twenty years, she was on the Allocations and Review Committee of the United Way of West Michigan, and served as a liaison for D.A. Blodgett Service for the Families and Children. She was a member of Rockford #215 order of the Eastern Star.

As valued member of the West Michigan Genealogical Church Society, she leaves the legacy of family history to her extended family.

Lucille’s funeral service will be held on Saturday December 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids MI, 49504. Lucille’s friends may meet for a time to visit at 10:00 am on the day of the funeral. Memorial contributions in Lucille’s honor may be directed to West Michigan Genealogical Society. To sign her guest book, leave a message, or post a picture please visit www.heritagelifestory.com