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Obituaries

These obituaries are listed in order from newest to oldest.  If you want to look for a specific obituary, just type the last name in the search bar (at the top of this article).  You can click here to sign up to receive obituaries by e-mail.

Patricia Louise Sanford Brown

of Chelsea, Michigan, age 86, died Monday, February 26, 2018 at Chelsea Community Hospital. She was born December 13, 1931 in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Leonard Holbrook & Thelma Elizabeth (Haite) Sanford. Patricia attended Lansing public schools, graduating from J.W. Sexton High School in 1949. She was graduated with a BA from Albion College, Albion, MI in 1953 with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Spanish. In 1978 Albion College honored her with a Distinguished Alumna Award. She worked in the Virus Research Department of Parke Davis in Detroit from 1953-55 with the title of Research Virologist, spending the first year doing secondary screening in mice of substances with possible anti-neurotropic virus qualities. The second year she transferred to the Salk Polio Vaccine Department at Parkedale Farms, Rochester, MI and safety-tested in small animals, individual strains of polio viruses.

Shirley Joan Smith

Shirley J. Smithof Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Manchester & Gregory, age 89, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in her home. She was born May 29, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Jack Vincent & Rosina Domatilla (Schillinger) King.  Shirley was raised in Detroit during the Depression.  After her marriage, she traveled with her husband while he was in the Army, and later they lived in Manchester, and on a farm in Gregory.  She has lived in Chelsea for over 30 years.  She was physically active, mowing with a push mower until she was 80, and she enjoyed exercise, especially aerobics.  She had many friends, and enjoyed a special group of friends that met every Friday night for 25 years.

Barbara Ann McAuley

of East Lansing, MI, formerly of Chelsea, age 84, died Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Medilodge of East Lansing. She was born April 13, 1933 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the daughter of Joseph G. & Marquerite (Keeler) Bourdeau.  Barbara was a Registered Nurse, graduating from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal in 1956.

Helen Spink

Photo of Helen SpinkPassed away peacefully in her 95th year, on Sunday February 25, 2018.  Beloved wife of Don. Cherished mother of Bob (Arly), Tom (Bobbe), Dave (Prudence), Rick (Pattie), Ed (Shannon) and Bill (Claudia – deceased). Loving grandmother of Aaron, Katie, Laura, Jennifer, Julie, Jeannie, Kali, Dan, Jill, Helen, Michelle, Jessica, Robyn, Lauren and Ryan and 18 great grandchildren.

Helen was born April 17, 1923 in Buffalo, New York the daughter of Eugene Forrestel and Viona (Coleman) Forrestel.  She lived her early years in Akron and Medina, NY with siblings Marjorie, Richard and Thomas.  She graduated from Akron High School in 1940 and attended Smith College, and the University of Michigan, graduating from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, NY with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in piano, in May 1944.  She was a talented flutist and pianist- the winner of several state and national music festival contests.

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” DeRouchie

Mary Betty DeRoucieof Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Dearborn, age 88, went to be with her Lord Thursday, February 22, 2018 while living at her daughter’s home. She was born March 23, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of John & Cecelia (Hanratty) Dillon.  Betty attended Immanuel Bible Church in Chelsea.  She stayed home to raise her children, but also worked as a cook in the Dearborn Schools. 

On January 11, 1947, she married Donald DeRouchie in Detroit, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 7, 2005. Survivors include five children, David (Bonnie) DeRouchie of Philipi, WV, Michael (Carolyn) DeRouchie of Monroe, Ken DeRouchie of Portland, OR, Linda (David) Parham of Jackson, Donna DeRouchie of Gregory; a daughter-in-law, Angie DeRoucie; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.