Dorothy Jane Parker

Dorothy Jane Parker, age 96, passed away in a blaze of glory on the 15th of August, 2024 at American House Senior Living in Kentwood, Michigan.

Born on October 15, 1927, to Valentine and Josephine Varvir in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she grew up on Sheldon Street, one of 11 children. She attended Catholic schools and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1945.

Dorothy worked at Allen Electric in Kalamazoo where she met Gordon E. Parker and they married in 1948. After building a home together on Austin Lake and having 2 sons, Gordon accepted a job at Michigan Magnetics in Vermontville, and he and Dorothy moved to Hastings in 1959. Established in their new home and town, they added another son to the family. In the following years, the couple acquired many rental properties which Dorothy managed. In her early years, Dorothy loved to go out dancing, and she and Gordon continued that for years after. She enjoyed bowling, visiting and traveling with her sisters, taking her grandchildren to Cedar Point, and family gatherings. In later years she would prepare a joint birthday meal for her siblings that always included sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), kolache and apple strudel in honor of their heritage. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Hastings.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon E. Parker, her parents, and siblings Peter, Mary, Rose, Joseph, John, Rudy, and Jeanette.

She is survived by siblings: Donald Varvir, Barbara Sanders, and Frances Cook, all of Kalamazoo. Son: Jeffrey (Becky) Parker of Hastings; grandchildren Katie (Tom Chou) Parker of New York City, David (Maggie) Parker of Kalamazoo, Annie Bundy of Chicago, IL; great-grandchildren Carter Reil, Ross Bundy, and Elodie Parker. Son: Thomas (Laura Wiswell) Parker of Richland; grandsons Ryan (Heather) Martin of Swartz Creek, and Seth Parker of Portage; great-grandchildren Brandon (Crystal) Montreuil, Alisha Montreuil, Ashley Hatfield, Lucas Martin, Chaise Seibert. Son: Greg (Karen) Parker of Plainwell; grandchildren Tucker (Anna) Boonstra of Chelsea, and Sydnee (Jordan) Ruger of Wayland; great-grandchildren Elijah, Flynn, Tauren, Luke, and Israel. Also many nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be held at St.Rose of Lima in Hastings at 10:00 a.m. on September 7, 2024 with a funeral mass following at 11:00 a.m.. A luncheon will follow at Hastings Elks Lodge. Memorials can be made to St. Rose of Lima Parish in her honor. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .