Shirley Verspoor

A deeply caring and dynamic person, Shirley Jean Verspoor leaves her loved ones with a rich legacy as a strong role model and as a compassionate person. Known for her work ethic, Shirley would make every effort to help others in need. She will be deeply missed by her family and many special friends who treasure her memory.

In 1943 America was in the midst of WWII, rationing canned meats, butter, and cheese. During those challenging times Shirley Jean Bruinsma arrived on January 16th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her birth brought much hope and happiness to her family during this era.

Growing up as the second-born of five children, Shirley enjoyed caring for her younger siblings. Her father, Simon Bruinsma Sr., worked for General Motors, and her mother, Hilda (Krikke) Bruinsma, was a homemaker. The family lived on Arianna Street NW and attended Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Shirley attended West Side Christian School, where she enjoyed playing basketball in junior high school. She also loved exploring nearby Richmond Park. In the wintertime, she went ice skating and sledding; In the summertime she loved swimming. Always a leader, Shirley liked to line up her dolls or stuffed animals to pretend that she was a teacher. The family enjoyed many large holiday gatherings and always visited Hess Lake in July. During the years she attended high school and college, she worked as a clerk at Hubbard’s 5 & 10 store, and as a counselor at Camp Roger in the summers. She excelled in school and was a proud graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School with the Class of 1960. After graduation, she enrolled at Calvin College, where she earned her BA in Education in 1964.

Carl Verspoor was her high school sweetheart. The two of them were introduced by mutual friends and hit it off right from the start. After seven years of dating, they were joined in marriage on July 2, 1965, at Calvin Seminary Chapel with a reception in the Dining Hall. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon in northern Michigan, with stops in Charlevoix and Mackinac Island. They settled in Grosse Point Park for three years while Carl attended law school at Wayne State University, after which they moved back to Grand Rapids. In the years that followed, Carl and Shirley raised three wonderful children: Amy, Kevin, and Lori.

Caring deeply about her role as a mother, Shirley invested time and energy in her children. She balanced her career as a teacher with being a wonderful mom. She worked hard to provide the best for her children. Shirley taught at West Side Christian, Grosse Point Christian, Creston Christian, and Grand Rapids Christian High School. She was approached to fill a teacher need at Creston and later asked to create and run a preschool program at Creston. She loved teaching and loved her students. Having her summers free offered her and her family wonderful opportunities to visit many campgrounds throughout the United States. She loved both tent camping as well as camping with her parents in their motorhome. Later on, they spent many summers at their condo in Spring Lake, where they enjoyed boating, biking, and exploring the beautiful West Michigan coast.

At Christmas time, they celebrated with the Bruinsma side, and at Thanksgiving, they visited the Verspoor side of the family. In 1969, the family joined Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church. Shirley helped organize the church school program and loved her role as Sunday school teacher and fellowship committee chair. She also served in church leadership as an elder and delivered many of the children’s sermons during worship services. She and Carl hosted many foreign exchange students in their home and greatly enjoyed visiting several students afterward with trips to the Netherlands and Hungary.

During retirement, Shirley remained active. She was a longtime volunteer at the New 2 You thrift shop, where she was well known as the toy and doll lady. An avid reader, she also spent time working on crossword puzzles, Sudoku, sewing, and crocheting. She and Carl enjoyed traveling, including taking memorable cruises in Alaska, Germany, and the Caribbean. Most of all, they enjoyed spending time with family, rarely missing the chance to host a Sunday family dinner. Some of the family favorites included bacon and beef rolls and cheesy potatoes. Shirley also enjoyed baking bread, cookies, and anything with chocolate. There was always something fresh and homemade available in the kitchen. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She loved them all dearly. Described as caring, confident, and outgoing, Shirley was one of a kind. A wonderful woman to know and to love, she never wavered in her commitment to her family. While she will be greatly missed, Shirley’s memory will be carried on by all those who love her.

Shirley Jean Verspoor, age 83, entered her heavenly home on February 5, 2026. Shirley was born in Grand Rapids, January 16, 1943, to the late Simon Sr. and Hilda (Krikke) Bruinsma. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Willemstyn; brother, Simon Bruinsma Jr.; and in-laws, Wayne Verspoor, Chester Willemstyn, and Judy Bruinsma. Shirley was a longtime member of Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church and dedicated to many ministries there over the years. She was an educator and also volunteered for many years at New 2 You thrift shop in support of the Grand Rapids Christian schools. Shirley loved the Lord, and her joy was made complete as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Carl J. Verspoor; children, Amy Kinney, Kevin (Randy Tortorello) Verspoor, Lori (Tom) DeVries; grandchildren, Andy (Britney) Briggs, Joey Briggs, Lindsey Briggs, Eva DeVries, and Patrick DeVries. She is also survived by her siblings, Bernard (Pat) Bruinsma and Mary (Jack) VandenBerg; sisters-in-law, Donna Bruinsma and Katie Verspoor; special nephew, Brian Willemstyn; and many nieces and nephews. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11 AM at Woodlawn Christian Reformed Ministry Center, 3190 Burton St SE. Friends may visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorials are suggested to Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church. To leave a memory or sign the guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.