Pat Schuur

When reflecting on the life of Patricia Schuur, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and unconditional love for her family. She faced challenges head-on with a spirit of determination, and she was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Nothing brought Pat greater joy than spending time with her loved ones. Her insatiable zest for life could be felt by all those around her. Forever held in the hearts of friends and family, Pat will be dearly missed by those who knew her best.

The 1940s are remembered as a time of great tension for the United States and the rest of the world as WWII raged on. Countless brave servicemen were called away from home to serve, and those who remained stateside faced strict rationing, listened to their radios for news, and supported the war effort in every way they could. It was during this tumultuous time in history that Claude and LaVerne VanSchaik were eagerly awaiting the birth of their second child. On August 29, 1945, their wait was over, and they welcomed their daughter, Patricia, into the world.

Growing up, Pat was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home alongside her older sister, Sally. Although Pat and Sally sometimes fought, as sisters do, they grew to be close and were always there for each other when it mattered most. Pat and Sally enjoyed playing baseball with other children in the neighborhood. Holidays were spent with family. Throughout Pat’s childhood, her mother struggled with her health. As a result, vacations were few but very memorable, and the family traveled to the Detroit Zoo, Niagara Falls, and numerous day trips to the Grand Haven beach. The VanSchaik family moved around the area quite a bit while Pat was young. While living in an apartment on the corner of Crosby and Alpine, a fire broke out in the building, and Pat was trapped in the apartment with her mother until help arrived. Fortunately, neither was badly injured and suffered only mild damage from smoke damage.

Pat attended local schools and spent her elementary and middle school years at Harrison Park School. She attended Union HIgh School and graduated in 1963, ready to move to bigger and better things. Pat went on to complete Tracy Beauty Academy in June of 1964. She then began working at Dave and Marilyn Kay’s Salon of Beauty on Alpine Avenue.

It was while working at the salon that Pat met a young man named Paul in 1970. The two first met through Marsha, one of Pat’s clients and Paul’s cousin. Having been told about Pat by Marsha, Paul stopped by the salon one day to try to sneak and peek. However, Pat was working reception that day and quickly caught on. The two began going on dates at Fricano’s in Grand Raven or to watch hockey games in Muskegon, and there was an instant spark between them. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Pat and Paul were married on May 18, 1973, at Berean Bible Church. They newlyweds then enjoyed a honeymoon to Hawaii, where they met Harry and Carol Mullins, a couple who would become lifelong friends. They spent time touring the islands together and remained in touch.

All who knew Pat can surely agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her loved ones above all else. She and Paul were overjoyed to welcome their beloved children, Heather and Darrell, into their hearts and home. Pat truly thrived in her role as a mother. She was very involved in the lives of her children, and she was their biggest supporter. Pat instilled in her children the importance of kindness and a love of Fricano’s pizza and Grand Haven beach walks. Later in life, she was thrilled to become a grandmother as well. Pat always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

In order to provide for herself and her loved ones, Pat was always willing to work hard. She worked at a number of different beauty shops over the years. Pat also used her skills to serve her community, providing hair care for residents in a few nursing homes. She coached both of her children’s little league baseball and softball teams throughout their childhoods as well. Pat was the leader of a Fibromyalgia support group, allowing her to touch the hearts of countless others.

Never one to sit still for long, Pat pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. Both she and Paul enjoyed bowling, and she was a member of a bowling league with her coworkers from Dave and Marilyn Kay’s for a time. Pat was an avid baseball fan and took many trips to watch the Detroit Tigers play. She took piano lessons as an adult and discovered a passion for all genres of music. Fricano’s was the place where Pat loved meeting with family and friends, enjoying the best pizza around with Vern and Mary Jean Blough. She enjoyed amusement parks and the thrill of roller coasters. The family traveled multiple times to Kings Island, Cedar Point, and Great America. Over the years, the family also traveled to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they visited Dollywood. They saved up for years to take memorable trips to Florida and Niagara Falls. In her earlier years, Pat also traveled the country with her closest friend, Lois. She liked Coke Zero, Tweety Bird, and her 1967 Yellow Ford Mustang with a black hard top. Following her tough diagnosis, Pat found a love for romance novels, especially those written by Debbie Macomber. Though her health struggles caused her to be bedridden, Pat never lost her joy.

As family and friends can certainly attest, Patricia Schuur truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she leaned on her faith and her loved ones for comfort. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Pat was a friend to many and beloved by all. She poured her heart and soul into those around her. Though she will be deeply missed, Pat leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Patricia Schuur (Pat) age 78 of Grand Rapids went to be with the Lord on Thursday January 25, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer and fibromyalgia. She was proceeded in death by her beloved parents Claude and LaVerne VanSchaik, grandparents William and Gertrude VanSchaik, and John and Florence Meyer. She is survived by her beloved husband and best friend Paul Schuur, her children Heather (Brian) Bacon, Darrell (Carrie) Schuur, and grandchildren Zachary, Kolton and Brianna. Her sister Sally (Carl) Lock, niece Lucinda Pant, nephew Brian Lock, and their children Mason, McKenna, Maverick, Payton, Kyle, and Paige. Pat will also be missed by her best friend Lois Litteral who was always there for her throughout her life.

Pat loved coaching little league baseball and softball and learned how to play piano alongside her children as they were growing up. She was a Fibromyalgia advocate and support group leader who helped patients navigate their diagnosis. For the last number of years, she courageously fought multiple occurrences of breast cancer until finally succumbing to it this year.

A funeral to celebrate Pat’s life will be held on Friday February 2, 2024, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive N.W. 49504 at 2pm. Pat’s family will visit with family and friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or The National Fibromyalgia Association. Please visit Pat’s personal memory page at www.heritagelifestory.com to leave a memory, post a picture, or sign her guest book.