Ann MacCord

Ann MacCord
Ann Elizabeth MacCord passed away on March 7, 2025, after complications from a vengeful return of breast cancer. She faced her illness with the same fire and determination that defined her life, never losing her wit or her willingness to speak her mind.
Ann grew up in Coleman, MI, but spent most of her life in Kalamazoo, where she built a home filled with love, laughter, and a revolving door of friends. And Ann had many friends - friends from childhood, friends who started as parents of her children's friends, work friends, school friends, her beloved Monday night dinner friends and beloved Sunday night craft friends. No matter where life took her, she gathered people along the way, nurturing friendships that spanned decades. In her final days, she was surrounded by her family and these friends, each from different chapters of her life but all touched by her warmth, humor, and fierce loyalty.
Ann had an adventurous spirit and an insatiable love for travel. One of her favorite places in the world was Maine, but that was just one stop on a long list of places she explored. She said yes to Paris, Malaysia, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Hawaii. She said yes to Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia to see family. If there was a trip to take, she was on board, ready to experience something new, and probably keeping everyone entertained along the way.
More than anything, Ann loved being with her family. The Porte family has always been exceptionally close, and in her final days, she reflected on how lucky she felt to have them. Through every stage of life, her family was her foundation, her greatest source of strength, and the people who brought her the most joy.
She also loved playing games and cards, where her competitive nature and quick wit made every match unforgettable. She never left words unspoken - if she had something to say, she said it, honestly and unapologetically. That candor, combined with her boundless generosity and humor, made her someone people were drawn to and deeply cherished.
In later years, Ann's family discovered something surprising - she had secretly become a sports fan. She had already spent thousands of hours watching her children and grandchildren compete on courts and fields, always cheering them on. But in her final years, she expanded her fandom, watching football with her son-in-law, proving that even late in life, she was still full of surprises.
Her warmth and loyalty extended beyond her home life into her career at L.D. Docsa, where she worked in Accounts Payable/Human Resources. Ann didn't just have coworkers - she had a work family. She was adopted by everyone who worked there, forging deep bonds with her colleagues and finding a second home with the owner and her fellow employees. She brought her signature humor, honesty, and unwavering dedication to her job, making L.D. Docsa more than just a workplace - it was a place where she was truly valued and loved.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Pete Porte; her sister, Rita Leppanen; sister-in-law, Liz Parks; and her son, Damien MacCord. She is survived by her daughters, Sarah (Tim) VanWormer and Abby MacCord (Michael Giddings), and her daughter-in-law, Jen MacCord; her grandchildren, Ashlyn and Gabi MacCord and Silas and Oliver VanWormer; her siblings, Madeline Bahling, Dan Leppanen, Pete (Debra) Porte, Dolores Porte, Donna (Kelly) Babcock, and Emily (Tim) Gross; Sister-in-laws Cera (Bob) Osterhout, Marie MacCord, as well as several nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Ann's presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit - bold, loving, and always up for an adventure - will live on in the stories, laughter, and love she leaves behind.
A celebration of Ann's life will be held in April. A date and location to be announced soon.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to, please make a donation to breast cancer research.