Nancy Ellen MacLachlan's Obituary
Nancy Ellen Biedermann MacLachlan of Spring Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully at home on Sunday October 15, 2023. Nancy courageously battled health issues over the years, including surviving cancer twice before suffering a stroke. Nancy was born January 25, 1950, in Chicago Illinois to Richard and Frances (Robinson) Biedermann. She attended St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Illinois before graduating magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Nursing School in 1972. While in college, Nancy met and married Jim MacLachlan with whom she had two sons, Brian and Brad, and a daughter, Megan. They raised their family in Spring Lake and were long-time members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand Haven. She served 37 years in various nursing roles including labor and delivery, lamaze teaching, nursing instruction, and home healthcare before creating the Parish Nurse role at St. Patrick’s in Grand Haven. After many years as a parish nurse, she retired from nursing in 2009 to reinvent herself as a pastel artist. Just a few years later, Nancy’s art started to be selected for art shows and winning awards. Her work has appeared in Art Prize, the Celebration of Spiritual Art, and the Regional Muskegon Museum of Art competition. Today, Nancy’s art can be seen in the corporate collections of Corewell (Spectrum) Health facilities around west Michigan. She was most proud of winning the 2D Juror award in the Grand Rapids Regional Festival of the Arts a few years ago. In addition to art, Nancy was most passionate about her roles as a mother and grandmother. She chose to work part time so she could always put her family first. Her favorite hobbies included family genealogy, gardening, hiking at lakeshore parks, traveling the world, spending summers with her entire family by the pool and water, and attending Camp Michigania family camp. Most notably, Nancy will be remembered as an inspiration to countless people who had the privilege of knowing her. She always carried herself with true selflessness, an unshakeable faith in God, a courageous spirit, compassionate caring and love for others. She will be deeply missed here on earth; however, we know she is receiving her eternal reward with her savior. Nancy is survived by her husband Jim of 53 years, children Brian (Nicky) MacLachlan of Norton Shores, MI, Brad (Melinda) MacLachlan of Spring Lake, MI and Megan (Jacob) Freed of Portage, MI, sister Carol (Mic) Armstrong of Sparta, WI, and eight beloved grandchildren: Maddie, Skyler, Riley, Brady, and Annie MacLachlan and Jacob, Ethan and Noah Freed. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Lynn Schmuhl.
Visitation will be held at The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services on Friday, October 27, from 5-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Church in Grand Haven at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Make-a-Wish Michigan or Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at http://www.sytsemafh.com
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