Mary June Packer's Obituary
Mary June Packer ( Paauwe) of Muskegon, MI passed away unexpectedly from a very brief illness on January 5th in Venice, Florida. June was the loving and dedicated wife of 61 years to Dr. Robert Packer, best friend and confidant of daughter, Kate Packer- Brickley, ever doting grandmother of Nicholas Mulka, Olivia and Ana Brickley, and constant companion of her beloved dog Abby.
June grew up in Cascade, MI and from a very early age discovered her passion for art, a passion that never waned and was a constant in her life. Her ability and desire to share her gift led her to the founding of the Wren Gallery in downtown Muskegon and later to assist with establishing the Gallery Upstairs in Grand Haven, MI. Through the years she displayed her work in many local and juried shows and gained the respect of many in the art world for her talent and leadership. Over her life time, June worked in various mediums including clay, sand casting, watercolor, oil pastel, and most recently with organic ‘bark’ paper, found objects, and colored pencil.
June met the love of her life, Robert when she was just 16 yrs old at Lowell High School and they married at the tender ages of 19 and 20. Together, they built an amazing life with one another and enjoyed many years of love and friendship. When asked recently what the secret to a 60 year marriage was, her answer was “love is the bottom line”. June and Bob spent many years together playing tennis, skiing out west, and enjoying friends and family at the cottage Bob built in Pentwater, MI. In recent years they spent summers boating up and down the coast of Lake Michigan and wintering in their home on the Myaka River in Florida. Despite much tragedy and loss in her life, June remained the foundation of her family, always managing to find the good in a situation and a way to move forward in a positive direction.
June will be deeply missed by her younger sisters, Nancy and Pam, whom she spent time with in Florida sitting by the pool, shopping and enjoying lunch under the big tree in Englewood, their wonderful spouses, Floyd and Bruce, as well as, her brother Richard Paauwe. Her sudden loss will also be felt by many special friends which include the members of her Birthday Group, also known as the “Bowling Team”.
June was preceded in death by her children, Robert Mark Packer (2014) and Kimberly Ann Mulka (1999).
A celebration on June’s life will be held 1:00PM Monday, January 12, 2015 at the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes,Inc., 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231-798-1100) with the Reverend Richard Rhem officiating. Burial will be in Blain Cemetery, Cutlerville, MI.
Visitation with June’s family will be 2-4:00 PM Sunday, January 11, 2015 and one hour prior to the service on Monday. A luncheon at the Trillium Banquet Center located at 17246 Van Wagoner Rd, Spring Lake, MI 49456 will follow the service.
The family has requested donations be made to the Muskegon Museum of Art or the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon in lieu of flowers.
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