Lorraine Camp has been an institution, inspiration, and family historian in our minds ever since our paths first cross in the 1950s. That occasion was my first introduction to my wife’s family in the Muskegon area. In attendance were last names like Bergren, Nummerdor, Kesteloot, Hobby, Beauchamp and Wherle which were easy on the memory. However, when introduce to the individuals: life became complicated. There was of course Ainey, two Ruths then DeeDee, Snookie, Willy, Bergy, Wherle, Aunt Mike, DC and a whole host of others. That Thanksgiving dinner I met for the first time: Aunt Ainey the hostess; the keeper of family history and photographs, a friend.
As time went by the many careers paths of that family group took us in all directions in the United States. But regardless of where they might be the family always seemed to gather every summer at the Cottage on Blue Lake: where past adventures and friendships were always exchanged. And as always: there was Aunt Ainey leading the family conversations, card games and photo book reviews. With passing time the family group would change with age however there was always one constant unchangeable star that we could connect with; our Aunt Ainey. Many of the family moved to or began vacationing in Florida. It was during these winter months in Florida that the family would gather together and reminisce around the photo albums about times gone by. And at the center of the conversations always was our historian: Aunt Ainey.
Aunt Ainey could not make it to Florida this winter as her health began to fail her. But as we would visit with her at her nursing home she still share with us her memories of time gone by and the many friends she had come to know.
The time has come now to say good bye to our Aunt Ainey and remember what a wonderful person she was to all. So we say: Thanks Aunt Ainey for the memories.##imported-begin##Tom and Dian Kesteloot Hubbell##imported-end##