Alvera Elaine Cairns

Alvera E. Cairns passed away peacefully on December 11 following a short illness. She was born on January 29, 1925, in Bay City Michigan to the late Ferdinand J. and Lillie A. (Jacobson) Demo. She was married for 55 years to Glenn Cairns, who preceded her in death on June 30, 2015. They moved to East Lansing in 1964 and had many busy years raising seven children.

During WWII and beyond, Alvera was executive secretary to three plant managers over 17 years at Chevrolet-Bay City. She resumed her career when her children grew up, retiring after 16 years with the State of Michigan Department of Education. In retirement, she volunteered with the American Red Cross and St. Lawrence Hospital.

Alvera and Glenn enjoyed a number of trips to the Caribbean islands as well as the North Carolina coastline with their family. Her hobbies in earlier years were skiing, tennis, and bicycling. She took long bike excursions and flying lessons in the 1940’s. As her children grew, she enjoyed reading, writing letters, and photography. Over the years, she kept in touch with friends and family. She loved crossword puzzles and delighted in her grandchildren. She was a devout Catholic all her life and a parishioner of St. Martha’s Parish in Okemos, Michigan. Her favorite prayer was the Prayer of Peace by St. Francis of Assisi.

Alvera is survived by her children James (Elfriede), Robert (Bonnie), Thomas (Wendy), Peter (Kathy), and Andrew, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Glenn, her children David, Barbara (Elder), and premature twins, John and Judy, preceded her in death. Her only sibling, Dolores Maillette, passed away at 97 in August 2020.

The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and funeral liturgy service at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 18 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing 48823.

The family is deeply appreciative to Sparrow Hospice for their care in her last few weeks.

For those offering contributions, please consider Sparrow Home Hospice, 1210 W Saginaw St, Lansing, MI 48915.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Cairns family.