Genevieve “Genny” Marie Bratschie passed away peacefully on Christmas Day at age 96. Known as the “life of the party” and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Genny shared 67 years of marriage with her late husband, Larry. After moving to Grand Rapids in 1960, she became an active community leader, serving Westminster Presbyterian Church, Porter Hills, the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Art Museum and Grand Rapids Opera. A successful real estate manager and generous supporter of music and the arts, she was deeply committed to her family and community.

Genny and Larry supported the Community Foundation for decades giving to Fund for Community Good and multiple scholarship funds.

Born in 1926 in Grandville, Michigan, John R. Davies passed away at the age of 99. John lived a long and remarkable life devoted to family, service, engineering and adventure. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served honorably until his discharge in 1946. He then attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

John left generous legacy gifts to support the environmental beauty of Michigan and scholarships for youth. At his passing, he created the W.J. Davies Scholarship Fund.

Helene Marie Despres, born in 1931 passed away at the age of 92. She began her RN career working at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor where she met her late husband, David. Helene and David enjoyed traveling the world. She was also a painter, seamstress, avid reader, gardener, an excellent cook who hosted many family gatherings, a lover of the arts and a collector of antiques.

Helene and David supported Grand Rapids Community Foundation since 2002. Their estate gift supports the Achille and Irene Despres, William and Andre Scholarship Fund.

Kimberly “Kim” Egan, wife of Jay Egan, passed away at age 72. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Kim dedicated her life to advocating for workers’ rights and civic engagement. She served for more than 20 years as executive vice president of Communications Workers of America Local 4034, where she became a trusted leader in labor advocacy and employee benefits. A lifelong supporter of pro-worker causes and democratic participation, Kim volunteered tirelessly for political campaigns and encouraged others to stay engaged in the electoral process. Kim and Jay supported Grand Rapids Community Foundation through gifts to the Fund for Community Good.

Maxine Joan “Mickie” Fox was born in 1928 and passed away at age 97. Mickie and her late husband Thomas “Tom” raised four children making treasured memories along the way. She loved her family, animals, reading and traveling the world. Her love of travel led to lifelong friendships as far away as Thailand, Australia, Israel, and the Netherlands.

Mickie and Tom started the first Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation. They made a significant one million lead gift as part of the Community Foundation’s “Building Community Philanthropy” campaign. To celebrate their long-term partnership and commitment, Tom and Mickie were awarded the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award in 2007.

Thomas Daues “Tom” Gleason was a generous leader, devoted family man and accomplished business executive, Tom earned degrees from Holy Cross College and Harvard Business School. In between semesters at Harvard, Tom interned at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati and met his wife, Sally. He built a career that included leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, American Bakeries, Quaker Oats, and Wolverine Worldwide, where he served as CEO and chairman. Tom dedicated his time to community, education and the arts, serving on numerous boards and supporting causes in Grand Rapids.

Tom and Sally supported the Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund, Challenge Scholars and Fund for Community Good at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. 
 

David Antell Holmden Jr. passed away at age 79. A U.S. Navy veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, David was known for his independent spirit, quick wit and remarkable generosity. After his military service, he attended Humboldt State University and spent his career in a variety of trades, including home building, trucking, welding and restaurant management. He built lasting friendships wherever he went, bringing joy to others through kindness, humor and thoughtful acts of compassion. He loved sailing, woodworking, traveling with his wife Lee Ann, storytelling and spending time with family and friends.

David and Lee Ann gave gifts to the Fund for Community Good supporting the Community Foundation’s Centennial Campaign.
 

Marilyn Leven passed away at the age of 93. She graduated with honors from the University of Michigan School of Education and built a life defined by service, leadership and family. In 1953, Marilyn married her childhood sweetheart, Norman "Norm" Leven, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love and mutual devotion. Together, they raised three children instilling in them the same values of education, community service, and family that defined their own life. She was active in numerous civic and religious organizations, including serving as the first female president of Temple Emanuel.

Marilyn and Norm supported Grand Rapids Community Foundation for decades through a donor advised fund and Challenge Scholars scholarship fund.
 

Kim S. Mitchell was born in 1954, in Geneseo, Illinois. She was in the first undergraduate class of women admitted to the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1976. She received her law degree from the University of Michigan in 1979. She moved to Grand Rapids in 1987 to join the Amway Corporation where she was a corporate attorney until she retired in 2012 as a vice president. 

Kim loved music and was very active in the St. Cecilia Music Center and the Girls Choral Academy. At Kim's passing, a recognition fund, the Kim S. Mitchell Fund, was established at Grand Rapids Community Foundation that benefits the St. Cecilia Music Society Building Endowment Fund.
 

Donald "Don" VandenBos Jr. was born in 1942 and passed away at the age of 82. He was a generous and brilliant man who had a love for auto racing and perfecting the automation industry. Don graciously helped those around him and always had a few words of wisdom to share. He was a successful business owner, carrying on the company his father had owned from 1949 until 1986. Don purchased Hill Machinery and found ways to adapt to the ever-changing auto industry and related technology before retiring.

Don supported Grand Rapids Community Foundation for almost two decades. He gave generously to Fund for Community Good and established the Hill Machinery Fund for Technology Scholars and unrestricted Don VandenBos Jr. Fund. 

Lorraine (Van Essen) VanderArk was born in 1940 and married her partner in all things, David, in 1961. Together, Dave and Lorrie raised their daughters Lies and Jane, and shared a passion for travel, symphony, and opera, and their love for the Lord. After earning her degree in education at Calvin University, Lorrie shared her love of learning as a teacher and librarian at West Side Christian School. She also served many roles at church and with non-profit organizations.

Dave and Lorrie gave unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation for over two decades to support the Fund for Community Good.

Sandra "Sandy" Ward was a talented actress who also served as an accomplished costume designer at Circle Theatre (and other area theatres). She was a dedicated arts and social justice advocate as well as a prominent member of the West Michigan community. Sandra and her late husband, Cedric, established a children’s program at Circle Theatre. The Wards dedicated themselves to promoting African American artists and founded Robeson Players, an African American theatre company.

Sandra passed in 2024 at the age of 79. At her passing, Sandra's estate gift created the Cedric and Sandy Ward Scholarship Fund, a recognition fund in support of the Grand Rapids Combined Theatre Scholarship Fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

James “Jim” Watkins passed away at age 96. A dedicated physician, civic leader and lifelong learner, Jim was a University of Michigan graduate, Navy veteran and longtime Grand Rapids urologist who helped pioneer kidney transplantation in West Michigan. He served as president of the Kent County Medical Society, supported numerous nonprofit organizations and helped raise funds for Hospice of Grand Rapids.

Jim remained active and engaged throughout his life and described the Community Foundation as “one of the finest and most effective organizations in the city.” Jim and his wife, Janet, chose to support Grand Rapids Community Foundation through an unrestricted planned gift.