Lynne Cheryl Kinkema's Obituary
Lynne Cheryl (Shipman) Kinkema died on December 21st after a courageous battle with dementia. She was born in Grand Rapids to Ellery and Ruth (Roth) Shipman. Though Ellery died when Lynne was nine, she remembered her dad with great affection, including family trips to the beach and regular outings to the movies. Lynne graduated from Comstock Park High School and attended the University of Michigan to study nursing. Lynne met the love of her life, Ed, at “the oval” while she was still in high school and they were married for 68 years. Once her older children were in school Lynne returned to college at Grand Valley State University (GV) to complete a degree. Lynne and her friend Holly Becker took classes part-time, taking turns watching daughter Cheryl and David Becker while the other was in class. After obtaining her teaching license, Lynne taught language arts for twenty years at West Ottawa Middle School, was an adjunct instructor at Hope College, and a longtime tutor for the Michigan Dyslexia Institute. Lynne valued education and was a lifelong learner. She completed a master’s degree from Wayne State University along with post-MA coursework at Hope College, Eastern Michigan University, and GV. She was also a Master Gardener, Advanced Master Gardener, and Master Naturalist. Lynne served on the Grand Haven Parks and Recreation Board for 15 years during the creation of the Grand Haven boardwalk and Adams Street Park. She spent many years on the Kitchel-Lindquist-Hartger (KLH) dunes board, including as chair. Some of her most important service was as a member of the Tri-Cities Environmental Action Council, a group instrumental in the successful passing of two referendums to protect critical dune habitat and parkland. Their efforts led to creation of the KLH Dunes Preserve and Bicentennial Park on the waterfront. In recognition for her efforts as an environmental advocate, Lynne was named Counterpoint Woman of the Year in 2003. She was a member of the Tri-Cities Garden Club and Tri-Cities Historical Society, served on the Tri-Cities Historical Museum Board, and was a docent at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Lynne was a longtime member and served as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven. Lynne loved art, traveling, beautiful flower gardens, movies, reading (especially Anne Tyler novels), taking photos, hiking, walks with friends, U of M football (especially the marching band), the Beatles, the family cottage up north, her dogs and cats, and her longstanding Whine and Dine book club. She was very artistic and enjoyed many creative pursuits from crafts with her children and grandchildren to painting, drawing, basket making, decorating, and sewing. Lynne’s most valued role was as mom, grandma, and great-grandma. Her love was unconditional and enduring and she supported her children and grandchildren in all of their activities and pursuits. In 2003 Lynne and Ed were named Parents of the Year for the Michigan 89th House District based on an essay written by grandson Max, who was living with them at the time. As Max wrote, “They care for me like a real mom and dad . . . the thing I like most is that we are a family . . . and we all have each other.” Lynne is survived by children Kathleen (Rogene McKiernan) Kinkema, Karl (Pam Bratt) Kinkema, Cheryl Kinkema, grandchildren Damien Kinkema, Max Kinkema, Jacob David, and Remi Kinkema, great-granddaughters Aubree Kinkema and Briana Kinkema, brother Tom (Linda) Shipman and numerous nieces and nephews. Lynne was preceded in death by her husband Ed and son Max. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church (508 Franklin Ave.) with Rev. Kristine Aragon Bruce officiating. VISITATION with the family will be 5-7 PM, Friday evening, January 24, 2025, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Burial will take place at Lake Forest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial contribution to the KLH Dunes Preserve or the Little Red House in Spring Lake. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Lynne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lynne?
Share a story where Lynne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lynne you’ll never forget.
How did Lynne make you smile?
