Marcia DeMey

DeMey, Marcia Grand Rapids, MI Marcia (Frieswyk) DeMey, age 81, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 12, 2018. Marcia was a beautiful Christian woman and a wonderful mother. She raised five children and took pride in having three Christian school teachers, a minister, and a missionary. She used her musical talent to God's glory. "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21). Marcia was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, John DeMey. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Kevin and Julie Girton, Doug and Amy Byl, Don and Melanie Zandee, Dave and Mary DeMey, Gregg and Sarah DeMey; her seventeen grandchildren, Joshua and his wife Sarah, Katie, Mary and Jonathan Girton, Derek, Daniel, AnneMarie and David Byl, Nathan and his wife Jessie, Jordan, Aubrie and Jesse Zandee, Mitchell, Sam and Ben DeMey, Anastasia and Will DeMey; her great grandsons Carson and Jackson Zandee, her sisters Shirley VanDenBrink and Lillian Ludema, brothers-in-law Gord Ludema and Jim Stull, sisters-in-law Helen (Frieswyk) Penning and Pat (Frieswyk) Armstrong; many nieces and nephews, friends, and the Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church family. She was preceded in death by her parents Gerritt and Minnie Frieswyk, her brothers Fred Frieswyk and Calvin Frieswyk, and sister Gloria Stull, sisters and brothers-in-law Don VanDenBrink, Marinus (June) DeMey, Minnie (Harold) Poll, Katherine (Jake) VanderHulst, and Neil (Dorothy) DeMey. Marcia was born in 1936. She grew up in Grand Rapids. She was a tomboy in her youth and loved Camp Roger with her friend Ruth Boshoven Penning and the great outdoors. Marcia had a talent for music and began playing the church organ every Sunday at Calvary Reformed Church while still a teen. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1954. She attended Calvin College for one year and played women's basketball. Marcia and John were married in 1956 after John returned from military service in Germany with the US Army. Marcia and John moved to Chicago with their young family when John took a job there. Ten years later, the growing family moved back to GR. Marcia was very active at Western Springs CRC near Chicago, and at Shawnee Park CRC in Grand Rapids. Marcia played organ and piano, planned worship services, and was on the church music staff for many years. Marcia loved camping and instilled this love in her family who still camp together every year at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds. She loved the beach and Lake Michigan, especially Grand Haven and Pentwater. She will be fondly remembered for living by the rule "People first" and for her strategic cutting of coupons earning her the moniker "Bargain Marsh" and her liberal distribution of Sunday peppermints. She was a great example and leaves a legacy of great love for her grandchildren and commitment to the Lord. The family wishes to thank Raybrook Manor-Holland Home for the loving care they provided to Marcia. Visitation with the family will be at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton Street, SE, on Wednesday, January 17, 5-8 PM. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 18, 1:00 PM at Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church, 2255 Tecumseh Dr. SE, with the Rev. Nicholas Hopkins officiating, with one hour of visitation prior to the funeral from 12-1 PM. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Christian Learning Center or Raybrook-Holland Home.