Mary Burggraaf

Remembering Mary Jane Burggraaf

Special Sister, Aunt and Friend

Mary Jane Burggraaf was born into this world on December 15, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the fifth child of James and Marie Burggraaf. Growing up with two older brothers, Calvin and David, she became a tomboy who preferred playing ball rather than fussing with the china dolls her two older sisters, Wilma and Theresa, adored. In her early childhood her family faced hard times when the family cheese business failed during the Great Depression. Mary was grateful to be able to attend Creston Christian School for her elementary years. She recalled walking the mile to school in harsh weather, and then home again for lunch each day. During her high school days at Central High School, Mary established many lifelong friendships. When her father died in 1945, during her senior year, her friends offered support.

After graduation Mary worked at several secretarial and administrative assistant positions. Her first position was at the YMCA where she enjoyed swimming during her lunch hour. Mary was born to organize efficiently, keep records and make sure meetings ran smoothly. Before retiring from Bissell, Incorporated after many years of service, one of her most satisfying accomplishments was to research and develop the Bissell carpet sweeper display at the new Van Andel Museum. Even in retirement she was the organizer of the bi-annual ladies breakfast for the retirees.

Mary’s life was not all work. Her many interests and love for adventure gave her a very satisfying life. She enjoyed animals, particularly her pet cat, Mudd. She loved going to the zoo, the beach and traveling every summer. She was always ready to try out a new restaurant.

Music was also one of Mary’s passions. She enjoyed playing the piano at home for her own enjoyment, and sang for many years in the church choir. During the holidays, she would often go caroling in the manufacturing plant at Bissell. In later years she enjoyed attending high school concerts of her nieces and nephews, piano recitals and concerts of the Great Lakes Barbershop Chorus and King’s Choraliers. When there wasn’t a concert she often sang along with records, tapes and CD’s and sometimes while watching Lawrence Welk on TV.

Mary also loved the theatre. For many years she held season tickets at the Civic Theatre. A highlight of her life was to go to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Bavaria, Germany. She appreciated the ability of actors to portray each character.

Mary also had many hobbies. She loved to read books and magazines and shared that interest by giving magazine subscriptions as gifts.

She took great pride in her flowers. She could always find room for one more perennial in her garden. Last year she won an award from the neighborhood association for her beautiful yard. Her vast collection of vases bears witness to the cut flowers she has shared with others.

Sewing was another passion that gave Mary much pleasure. During her career days she made many of her own clothes. One year she made felt Christmas stockings for all her nieces and nephews with their name embroidered on the front.

Mary was the hub that kept her family together during difficult times. When her mother had a stroke she cared for her at home, and then at the Christian Rest Home for several years.

She was the party planner extraordinaire of the yearly Burggraaf Christmas party. She carefully planned each detail including the invitations, table decorations, menu, games, and most importantly the cookies, including the famous Santa faces. She also liked to make Birney’s hot fudge with a recipe from a downtown ice cream shop. She was so giving and selfless and was an inspiration to us all.

Mary took delight and interest in all kinds of people. She was always ready to drop her agenda for someone needing a ride, babysitter or just someone to listen. She was fun-loving and adored going to visit relatives in Port Huron and planning a surprise party. Mary was the one who always insisted on the decorated birthday cakes and buying that special thing to make someone happy.

Mary had a strong sense of heritage, having lived in the family homestead for her whole life. Her station in life allowed her to see three generations pass through this home and appreciate the contributions they made to society and ministry. She connected with the past by copying old pictures and organizing facts about her ancestors. She wrote letters to those still living.

Although Mary never married or had children of her own she considered everyone else’s children her own. She loved to go to John Ball Park with her 11 nieces and nephews for a picnic. She never failed to send a birthday card or remembrance on a special occasion. She delighted in graduation parties, showers and weddings, and in every new baby that was born into the family. Children had a magnetic attraction to her, and loved to hear her read stories and make paper people chains.

Most importantly Mary had an unwavering faith in God. She was so thankful for 80 years of extremely good health and patient with her lot as she faced two major surgeries and the loss of those things most important to her. She learned to be content and appreciative wherever God placed her in life, and to shower her grace and kindness on whomever served her.

Mary was a lifelong member of the Fourth Reformed Church. She was always a faithful supporter of missions and Christian education. During her years of strength Mary was a diligent Sunday school teacher, a GEMS special friend and sang in the church choir for decades. Mary always enjoyed the activities of the women’s ministry. She delighted in the final two times she was able to attend church, this past Easter Sunday and two weeks later.

We thank God for the gift of Mary in our lives. May we be inspired to follow her example.

Burggraaf – Miss Mary Jane Burggraaf, age 80, much loved sister and aunt, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 6, 2009. Mary blessed all those around her with her strong faith and love for family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marie Burggraaf; her sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and Harold Zeeff; and her brothers, Calvin and David Burggraaf. Memories of Mary will be especially treasured by her sister Wilma (Orville) Swick; her sisters-in-law, Verta and Marlys Burggraaf; nieces and nephews, Norma (Tom) Boehm, Laura (Eric) O’Brock, Gloria (Dave) Klinestecker, Jim (Marcia) Swick, John Swick, Beth (Dave) Pickard, Bob (Kathy) Burggraaf, Jim (Jan) Burggraaf, Sharon Crittendon, Marvonne Burggraaf (Kim Phillipi), Ron (Linda) Burggraaf; and many special friends. Mary was a longtime employee of Bissell, Inc. and a lifetime member of Fourth Reformed Church. A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave. NE, with Rev. Tim Meendering officiating. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Sunday from 6:00-9:00 PM and on Monday one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Fourth Reformed Church for the ministry of Jeff and Lisa Boehm with YWAM in Bangkok,Thailand (Mary’s grand-nephew) or the Christian Rest Home. Please visit Mary’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to read her life story, share a memory or make a memorial donation on-line.

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