Mary Elizabeth Pluim (Hodges)

She was preceded in death by her father John, mother Alpharetta, husband James, four sisters Alta, Hannabelle, Mable and Nina, three brothers, John, Justin and Stewart, son-in-law Donald Geldersma and close friend, Charlotte A. Link.

Surviving are her daughters Charlotte Lynn (R. Dennis) Link and Laurel Ann Geldersma, grandchildren Lisa (Matt) Kunecki, Michael (Laurie) Ortiz, Deidre Link (Rob Prongay), Mark Kopenski, Todd Kopenski and Christine Link Wright, 13 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A member of the greatest generation, Mary was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 10, 1915 to John Hodges and Reta (Patton). She attended Grand Rapids South High School, graduating in 1934. During the 1930’s, she loved to sing and dance, having sung on the radio and competed in Dance Marathons! Matter of fact, she met her future husband, Jim, at a dance hall. She married James Pluim on October 19, 1940. Mary and Jim both worked many years while enjoying life and raising their family. In retirement, they built a get-a-way weekend cottage “up north” in Canadian Lakes. They enjoyed “cruising” to Hawaii, Alaska, Panama and many European cities and countries. They always attended grandkids’ games and competitions.

Mary was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) and loved researching her ancestry with niece, Jackie. She loved watching our Detroit teams on TV, playing Bingo, solving word search puzzles and playing card games. She was a tough competitor -you best not pick up a discard she needed in her hand unless you wanted to be called a “Jack Rabbit.”

Visitation for Mary will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the Cook Funeral Home, Byron Center Chapel, 2067 - 84th Street, S.W., Byron Center. Funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Garfield Park Cemetery.

The Pluim family would like to thank the staff at Byron Manor for their cheerful and thoughtful care on Mary’s behalf, the staff of Faith Hospice for their comforting direction, and “Freddi’s Angels” of Wesley Park United Methodist Church for their countless cards and messages.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mary may be made to the Humane Society of West Michigan, 3077 Wilson Dr., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534, Meals on Wheels, 2900 Wilson, Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49418 or the Mel Trotter Mission.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcares.com.

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/TTHCT2QCWYHTM485