Phyllis L. Petrovich

Phyllis Lorraine Petrovich, age 93, died at Whispering Woods Assisted Living facility in Grand Rapids, MI, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, three days short of her 94th birthday. Born October 30, 1921, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Frank and Olive Fagan, she graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in August, 1939 she married Edward Victor Petrovich. Phyllis lived most of her life in Grand Rapids where she and “Eddie” raised their four sons. In addition to her involvement with their activities, she was an editor with the Fiedler Publishing Company, manager of Top Value, and eventually a computer operator for Packaging Corporation. Phyllis loved to dance and she and “Eddie” were members of a dance club for many years. She was passionate about books and a voracious reader her entire life. Known for her impeccable knitting she often made sweaters for her sons, grandchildren, other family members and friends. She knit beautiful afghans, hats for school children, and caps for newborn babies.

In her retirement Phyllis volunteered for Crash’s Landing, delivered “Meals on Wheels,” and was an active volunteer for the John Ball Zoo. She relished her role as a docent and as the educational coordinator for the zoo programs. She was one of only three to receive a lifetime achievement award from the zoo and was very proud of this distinction. Her love of traveling took her throughout the United States, Europe and twice to Africa. Phyllis was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed her travels to Ireland, but found her trips to Kenya and Zimbabwe to be the most rewarding. She particularly enjoyed celebrating her birthday at Victoria Falls and riding in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti Plains. Phyllis will be remembered as a caring, intelligent, and sometimes a proudly stubborn woman who loved spending time with her friends, family, and pets. She was full of pride for her four sons, their wives, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Survivors include her four sons: Richard (Pat) Petrovich of Traverse City; Ronald (Patti Marshall) Petrovich of Grand Rapids; Robert (Connie) Petrovich of Harrisville; and John (Lorraine Miles) Petrovich of East Grand Rapids. Grandchildren: Skip (Jen) Petrovich, Dean (Mary) Petrovich, Sara (Derek) Boven, Wendy Haas, Brian (Karlyn) Haas, Matthew (Mary) Petrovich, Andrew Petrovich, Kelly (Lars) Engstrom, and Chad (Sara Bromeland) Rector. She also had fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward and three siblings Olive Fagan, Charles Fagan, and Jesse McClure. A friends and family visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 10th from 10:00- 11:00am at Reyers North Valley Chapel. At 11:00am a memorial service and breakfast buffet will be served. Cremation arrangements were made through Reyers North Valley Chapel. A private burial will be held. Memorial suggestions and contributions can be made “In memory of Phyllis Petrovich” to Gentiva Hospice (2221 Health Drive, Wyoming, MI 49515) or John Ball Zoo Volunteers (P.O. Box 2506, Grand Rapids, MI 49501).