Irene Helen Bartman

Irene Helen Bartman, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Saturday August 21, 2021. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren the weeks prior and experienced great joy from the visits, cards and drawings from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Irene was born in Detroit, MI on January 29, 1926, to John Stanley and Helen (Piotrowski) Borkowski. She attended Pershing High School where she met her future husband, Robert M. Bartman. They were married on August 23, 1947. Bob and Irene loved traveling and took numerous trips with family and friends. They enjoyed cruises to Alaska, trips to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and locations across Canada. Irene continued to travel after Bob’s passing in 2006 and always welcomed the invitation to travel with family members or friends.

Irene worked as a librarian at Bunche Elementary School in Flint, MI where she shared her love of reading with students and staff. She relished learning about new authors, especially those of children’s books. She gladly traded books with family and friends in her effort to promote reading. Irene was a member of the American Business Women’s Association which supports women from diverse occupations and encourages their professional development. Irene enjoyed the camaraderie and adventures of her Antique Club as well as her Pinochle Card Club. Playing cards extended to family gatherings where lively games of 500 Rummy would occur. Irene enjoyed knitting and took joy in creating Christmas stockings for her family and each new member, taking great care not to duplicate a color scheme. Her Christmas traditions included selecting an ornament for each grandchild and great grandchild that reflected a special moment in their lives and making platefuls of cookies that she shared with family and friends. Irene also took pride in caring for her home and garden and was a gracious hostess.

In 2018, Irene relocated from Swartz Creek, MI to Grand Haven Manor in Lansing, MI where her social life flourished when she met Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Stark, one of the goodwill ambassadors. She found new pinochle partners, joined the knitting group, volunteered in the onsite library and celebrated her Catholic faith with the Eucharist Ministers from St. Gerard and other residents. She enjoyed coffee hours, outings and other social activities offered to residents. The most recent highlight of her adventures was a cruise of the Great Lakes with her new friend Dottie.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, parents and in-laws, siblings and their spouses. She will be greatly missed by her children; Deborah B. (John) Kloosterman, Robert A. (Janice) Bartman, Rhonda B. Abood, Susan J. Bartman and Cary Kocher and Gail M. B. (James) Tischke, 14 grandchildren; Beth (Jonathan) Kurt, Laura (Paul) Seamon, Errin (Rudi) Destics, Melissa (Chris) Dusseljee, Brian (Bethany) Bartman, Jonathan Bartman, Samuel Abood, Helen (Brandis) Bowie, Patrick (Rachael) Abood, Ella Kocher, Peter Tischke, Mitchell Tischke, Roslyn Tischke and John Tischke, 16 Great-grandchildren; Libby and Reagan Kurt, Elise, Julia, Jacob and Cara Seamon, Miles and Remy Destics, Megan and Lucas Barker, Katelyn Dusseljee, Elaina and Caleb Bartman, Anabelle Abood, Aries and Atticus Bowie and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Gunnisonville Meadows Assisted Living and McLaren Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of our mother. A special thank you to Hospice nurse Abbie for her compassionate care and thoughtful communication with our family to ensure the best care for our mother.

A memorial mass celebrating Irene’s life will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday September 25, 2021, at St. Mary’s Queen of Angels, 4413 Morrish Rd, Swartz Creek, MI 48473 with a luncheon following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Disabled American Veterans

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