Evelyn Jane Secord

Evelyn Jane Secord, age 89, passed away on April 22, 2024, at Medilodge Assisted Living. She was born in Grand Rapids on November 8, 1935, Alexander and Katherine (Bockniak) Gabert. Jane, as she insisted on being called grew up with four sisters and attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Catholic Central High School.

When Jane was just 14, she met Richard Secord while ice skating at John Ball Park. The high school sweethearts married when they were just 18, and Jane became an Army wife while Richard proudly served our country.

They eventually settled back in Grand Rapids, and Jane stayed busy raising their only child, Richard Jr. Never one to sit idle, she also helped her husband when he started his own company and worked in the claims department for Sentry Insurance.

Jane was known for her amazing cookies and candies. Her frosted sugar cookies were lovingly decorated with great detail, and she made unforgettable peanut brittle and seafoam. She always hosted the Thanksgiving holiday and no one went away hungry.

She enjoyed being outdoors. In the winter, she loved figure skating and cross-country skiing and in the summer she loved sitting on the boat fishing. As a family, there were countless camping trips and many visits to Canada to fish.

Jane loved a good adventure. Over the course of their marriage, Jane and Richard traveled the world. They traveled to exotic destinations like Africa and Mexico and cruised the Caribbean and to Alaska. They even took a country wide road trip to Disneyland stopping at the tourist destinations along the way. Many of travels included their friends Gloria and Dave Figg, the memories and laughter priceless treasures.

On August 15, 2021, Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Richard. She was also preceded in death by her sisters Rita VanAntwerp and Judy VanderVate.

Jane is survived by her son Richard (Patricia) Secord, Jr. her step-grandchildren: Stephanie (Justin) VanderVeen, Michelle (Adam) Patterson and Charles (Amanda VanderVeen) Harlett; her step-great grandchildren: Alaina, Ethan & Oliva Vanderveen and Riley Harlett; her sisters Christine Budnick and Lorraine Jerkits, and her sister-in-law Deta Klinge and many other relatives.

Visitation for Jane will be held on Monday April 28, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday April 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Burial next to her husband will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Stanwood, Michigan at 3:00 p.m. the same day.