Marjorie Bacon

Those who knew Marjorie Bacon could see that being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for her as she viewed being a mother to be her greatest mission in life. She found much fulfillment in being a mother, but becoming a grandmother was truly her greatest reward. Someone who believed in the value of hard work, Marjorie wholeheartedly embraced every task that was before her. Although her life was not without hardship, Marjorie took both the joys and the sorrows that came her way, carrying herself with grace, humility, and compassion for those around her. The shining legacy she leaves behind is one that her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren will be proud to carry on.

By the year 1919 the winds of change were taking America places we had never been before. With the end of the First World War that same year, we emerged as a world leader and a force to be reckoned with. Fred Astaire danced for us while speakeasies sold us booze, and jazz music saturated the airwaves. This was an unforgettable year for one young family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since it was on June 29th that they celebrated the birth of a baby girl. Marjorie Virginia was welcomed into the world by her parents, Charles and Ruth (Batchelder) Sweet, and was the second of five children in her family including her older brother, Ralph, and her younger siblings Charles, David, and Donna. Her father was a quality control worker at American Seating Company while her mother was a homemaker. As a student, Marjorie attended Straight Elementary School and then went on to Union High School. Like so many other young people during the years of the Great Depression, Marjorie left school during her senior year to find work in order to help make ends meet in the Sweet family. This wasn’t the end of her educational career, however, as she went back to complete her GED from Kenowa Hills High School some time later.

Life was forever changed for Marjorie when she made the acquaintance of a certain young man. His name was Ralph Bacon and as the story goes, Marjorie met him while out on a date with another gentleman. True love was in the air that evening, however, and after dating for a year it was Marjorie and Ralph who found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to begin a new life together, the couple married on May 7, 1938, in the church parsonage.

As newlyweds, the couple settled into an apartment in downtown Grand Rapids and later moved to Briggs Boulevard in North Park. From there they moved to Turner Avenue for ten years before settling in at 4831 Bristol from 1957 until Marjorie drew her last breath. Together they became the parents of seven wonderful children: Nancy, Richard, Raymond, Ronald, Russell, Virginia, and Ralph Jr. who died in 1947. From the moment she became a mother, Marjorie fully immersed herself into caring for the needs of her children as a stay at home mother. She made it seem effortless to juggle the needs of an active family while loving each of her children in their own unique way.

Although caring for her family was always her first priority, Marjorie kept busy in other ways as well. She worked outside of the home at times including as a waitress at the Southern Plantation where her husband worked as a bartender, and she also worked at the Pig Pen Restaurant. For a time Marjorie worked as a presser in a laundry and also seasonally putting labels on at the Cider Mill. She was baptized at the Second Baptist Church on the West Side, and she was also a member of the Casino Club Auxiliary where she worked on the fish fries. Marjorie loved bowling, canning, gardening, sewing, and fishing with her husband as often as time allowed. She was a great card player who always seemed to be at the top of her game. Marjorie liked shopping and was forever on the lookout for a great deal as she frequented thrift stores and garage sales. She kept her mind sharp by reading and was a fan of both fiction and non-fiction. Marjorie had an impressive doll collection that perhaps stemmed from having lived through the Great Depression when a girl would be lucky to have even one doll. At last count, Marjorie’s collection numbered more than 400.

Spending time with her family always topped Marjorie’s list, especially when she became a grandmother. Known as Gramma to her grandchildren, she often hosted sleepovers that were such special times and have now become priceless treasures that will never be forgotten.

Trying times were in store for Marjorie and those who loved her when she suffered a stroke in 1986. From that point forward, she was paralyzed on her left side. She was so grateful to live with her son, Ray, in Comstock Park and because of his tender care, Marjorie never needed to enter a rest home. As she entered the sunset of her life, Marjorie suffered with symptoms of dementia that plagued her for about the last four or five years. Marjorie was able to get out some, however, as she visited the Side By Side Adult Care Center four to five times a week. She continued to live an active lifestyle until Christmastime just this past year when she was hospitalized after her health rapidly declined. She later drew her last breath surrounded by the love of 12 family members who were at her side.

In everything she did. Marjorie Bacon brought such warmth and beauty to the world around her. With the love of her life by her side for more than 65 years, she raised a family that blossomed into many branches on her family tree. Marjorie leaves us with much to aspire for while the memories she created serve as a priceless gift to be treasured for generations to come. She will be deeply missed.

Marjorie V. Bacon died on Sunday, January 30, 2011. Marjorie’s family includes her children, Nancy (Alvin) DeBruine of Walker, Richard (Jerre) Bacon of Orlando, FL, Raymond Bacon of Comstock Park, Ronald (Nancy) Bacon of Conklin, Russell Bacon of Comstock Park, and Virginia (Thomas) Dewey of Comstock Park; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Sweet of CA, David (Marilyn) Sweet of FL; and several nieces and nephews. Marjorie was preceded in death by her son Ralph, Jr. in 1947 and husband Ralph Sr., in 2004. Funeral services will be held Thursday 11 a.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut – Grand Rapids, MI, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW. Friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Side By Side Adult Care, 1256 Walker NW, 49504.