Gloria Mcmurry

Gloria Patricia McMurry was born December 16, 1937 in Chicago, Ill. the fifth of eight siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, William (Bud) McMurry and her granddaughter, Kira Jo Boetsma. Much loved mother of Dave and Gloria VanKampen of Holland, Bill and Pat McMurry of Zeeland, Terry and Karen McMurry of Holland, and Stacey and Pam Tobey of Estero, FL. and grandmother of 12 and great grandmother of 23. She was a child of Jesus since she trusted in his blood - and his death, burial and resurrection. So, we rejoice that, even now, she is celebrating with her Savior in heaven. Our prayer is that all of her family and friends will join her one day by trusting on that same Jesus. Gloria always took care of her home and children and was a caring and compassionate person who loved to laugh. Her grandchildren enjoyed laughing and dreaming with her and many good memories were made in her ivy covered kitchen with the assorted candy jars, homemade Mac n' cheese, and fresh fluffy white bread loaves, cut thick, and smothered with butter. Her kitchen was the heart of the home where many great conversations were shared and many memories made. She wrote poetry, dabbled in drawing and painting and loved to decorate for Christmas and family birthdays. She was even known to Bondo her car when necessary. Mom took fashion tips from no one. Her signature look was jeans and a t-shirt sporting a braided ponytail. The search for "comfortable" shoes was endless as she seemed to be "melting into puddles" as her feet kept growing and she kept shrinking. She was always proud of her home town of Chicago and always had a little bit of that big town feistiness in her. She was a fierce mama bear and many times threatened to "tear that school down brick by brick" because we were not being taught to "sound out" words and other issues that rubbed her the wrong way. Most of all she loved her family and instilled in us strong values. She will be surely missed and forever in our hearts. Visitation with the family is from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at the First Baptist Church of Zeeland, 246 W. Main Avenue, Zeeland, Michigan, where memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Refreshments will follow the ceremony. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Gloria's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gloria Mcmurry, please visit our flower store.