Lois May "Pepsi" Coston's Obituary
Lois May "Pepsi" Coston, age 94, of Spring Lake passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021, at Heartwood Lodge Hospice Residence. She was born July 7, 1926, in Spring Lake, to Sydney and Clara (Sharpe) Farrer, and she married Michael Lee Coston. He preceded her in death in 2011. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Kim (Pierre Dupont) Coston; three sons: Michael Coston, Samuel Coston and Casey Coston; two grandchildren, Nigel Coston and Zachary Langille; and her sister, Betty Gleason. She was preceded in death by a son, Kelly Coston, five sisters: Mary Zimmerman, Edna Bisacky, Pauline Pravda, Joan Ruiter and Jean Farrer, and her brother, Jack Farrer.
Pepsi’s innate fashion sense was evident to anyone she met. Devoted to family and home, she was also an avid gardener, a passionate collector of antiques and art, a world traveler and an all-around style maven. Eternally optimistic, she was there whenever someone needed her—with heartfelt compassion, and an immense reservoir of patience.
A talented creative decorator, her magic touch in the home and garden reflected her rich spectrum of interests, like a tapestry of places, people, objects and tiny details that she loved. Together with her husband Mike they transformed a chicken coop into a dream home, an old North Muskegon corner market and downtown basement into retail fashion destinations for men and women, and a condemned North Muskegon landmark into a chic bar-restaurant...all of that while wrangling five kids through high school, college and beyond.
Her intuitive skills as a retail salesperson and buyer were recognized in fashion, gift and antique stores in Grand Haven and Delray Beach, Florida. With Libby Reichardt and Phil Brady, she was a mainstay at AD LIB, an amazing gift and antique nook at Reichardt’s already impressive downtown Grand Haven store, and was influential in helping make it a regional decor hub. Fun loving and industrious, she also adored nature, art, beauty, history, horticulture, fine cuisine and rarely missed an episode of Antiques Road Show. Given her ‘joie de vivre’ and tireless energy, ‘Pepsi’ seemed to fit as a nickname, but it was more about her dazzling smile and came from Pepsodent’s brand name.
Pure Spring Lake, Pepsi was the third in her family born in the USA. Her parents and three elder siblings immigrated from Yorkshire in the 1920’s and bought a farmhouse in east Spring Lake where they raised a family.
Her late husband Michael described her in his memoirs as follows:
“An absolute saint! Pepsi is a remarkable homemaker, decorator, worker of superhuman endurance and tenacity, with an absolute fabulous figure and face. A God-fearing religious creature with innate knowledge and built-in good sense. This terrific creature has steered, guided and pushed me to greatness...She has great taste, is a fabulous cook, and, oh God do I love her.”
The family will celebrate Pepsi’s life this summer around her birthday. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 East Savidge Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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