Peggy M. (Hill) Rossiter's Obituary
Peggy Marie (Hill) Rossiter, age 78 of Norton Shores, passed away at her home, hand in hand with her loved ones.
Peggy was born on March 23rd, 1947, to William & Geraldine Hill in Muskegon, the middle child of her six siblings. She has always been known as a hard worker that even in more recent years during her health decline, continued pushing past physical barriers to complete her household duties that those around her never expected or understood how. Peggy was a pillar of strength, even a hospice nurse referred to her as a “tank” her last week here on earth. Her entire life up until her final earthly days, she amazed everyone around her with her strength and perseverance. We can say for certain that there isn’t a person who’s ever met her who would argue that statement. While she displays a bulletproof exterior, fierceness, and unmatched work ethic, those are not her most prominent traits to those of us closest to her. To all of her nearest and dearest, Peggy/Peg/Mom/Grams/GiGi will be remembered and admired for her endless, unconditional, selfless love. Her heart and love were even stronger than her will to persevere, to those of us lucky enough to receive it. Just as indestructible as all of her personality traits listed above- if not more so.
Peggy was a loyal companion and partner to her significant other of 39 years, Bob Kohnke. The pair shared an understanding, connection, and love for one another, visible to all around them.
She was a mother to one beautiful daughter, Michelle Ann, whom she loved, adored, and passed down her best qualities of how to love her family, fiercely and unconditionally. A mother-in-law to Dan Emerick, who she spoke highly of, appreciated and loved just as deeply. A grandmother to seven grandchildren whom she nurtured, provided, and loved as if her own, and a GiGi to fourteen great-grandchildren who adored her for her playfulness and stockpile of cookies and fruit snacks. All of us will fondly remember her always having an open door, listening ear and a refrigerator, pantry and countertop stocked with everyone’s favorite treats and meals, often if not always finding the time to prepare meals and bake for not only special occasions, holidays and events but just because she had thought of you. There has never been a missed birthday, anniversary, celebration, loss, or victory, big or small, that she wasn’t there to celebrate each and every one of us.
Her home is a museum of her family. You will find photos, mementos, and trinkets in every room, on every shelf, decades-old artworks made by her grandkids framed and hanging on her bedroom walls, stacked totes and boxes full of everyone’s stories. She’s our treasure keeper. There’s not a single surface or corner inside her home that doesn’t display just how much she loved and valued her family.
While Peggy has always been known for her grit, sassy mouth, and work hard mottos, look closer and you’ll see her generosity and abundance of dedication to us all through her acts of intention and love. An inspiring and rare quality, worthy of taking note of. Of all of her many qualities, she truly loved so BIG that even had she never said the words “I love you”, you’d be able to feel and see how much she did. That is the legacy she leaves us with.
Peggy will be lovingly remembered and missed by her partner of 39 years, Bob Kohnke; siblings: Billy (Deb) Hill, Lisa Hill, and Judy (Stan) McCarty; son-in-law, Dan (Michelle) Emerick; grandchildren: Lindsay (Levi) Wood, Chelsea (DeAngelo) Buchanan, Ashlee (Matt) Emerick, Hayle Pastor, Justin (Kayleigh) Emerick, Nicklas Emerick, and Annika (Wayne) Emerick; her great-grandchildren: Peyton, Avion, Paisley, Chance, Arbor, Bodhi, Daisy, Waylon, Azrah, Salem, MarsIsla, Rowan, Lilah, Lucia, and Hayes.
She was preceded in death by her parents: William & Geraldine Hill; siblings: Betty Gay, Bonnie Bringedahl, and Bobby Hill; and her daughter, Michelle (Rossiter) Emerick.
In honor of Peggy’s wishes, no funeral services will be held. Instead, the immediate family will hold a small celebration of life in honor of her at a future date.
Memorial contributions can be made directly to her son-in-law, Daniel Emerick, to assist family.
Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100
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