Ardyce "Brenda" England

A woman who has been described as gracious, selfless, and a constant nurturer, Ardyce Brenda England was a true gift to those around her. She faced trials in life, but she was filled with a quiet strength and unwavering courage that is to be admired. Brenda was an attentive and loving mother to be sure, but she just may have argued that nothing was sweeter than becoming a grandmother. She was the sort of person who was always available to anyone who needed her in ways both great and small, and she put the needs of others ahead of her own with ease. Brenda leaves behind a timeless legacy that will continue on in the lives of those who follow her. Despite the challenges of the 1930s that were defined by the Great Depression, it was evident that the American spirit remained in the completions of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building while work on Mount Rushmore continued. Amidst this eventful time was a time of great celebration in the lives of a young couple from Alma, Michigan, as they were blessed with the birth of a baby girl on June 19, 1934. Ardyce Vanola, although she was usually known as Brenda, was the youngest of three girls born to her parents, Lionel and Beatrice (Harter) Thompson, and was joined in her family by her older sisters, Betty and Janice. Growing up Brenda experienced some rough waters as her parents divorced, and her mother was not able to care for her. Subsequently, she spent some time living in a Catholic home for girls in Grand Rapids. Brenda later moved to Middleton, Michigan, where she lived with her uncle and aunt, Orlie and Elizabeth Harter, who raised her as their own daughter. They later had four girls and one boy who were Ardyces siblings. She attended Fulton High School where she played the saxophone in the band and went on to graduate with the class of 1952. It was just a short time after graduating that Brenda met the young man of her dreams. He was a truck driver named Clifford England, and they met through some family members. They soon began dating and found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend their lives together Brenda and Cliff were married on October 2, 1955, in Maple Rapids, Michigan. Together they welcomed two daughters into their hearts and home, Cheri in 1957 and Dixie in 1959. The England family eventually settled in Three Rivers where they had a good group of friends and neighbors whom they loved to socialize with. When a young couple moved into the same apartment building, Brenda and the young girl, Barbara, became very close. In fact, she always considered Barbara her daughter from that point forward. Once her girls were in school Brenda began working as a seamstress who made uniforms and medical scrubs at the Whitehouse Company. Brenda eventually started working in customer service for GTE. In 1984 GTE downsized in Three Rivers so Brenda and Cliff moved to Muskegon since that is where the company moved her position to. Both of their daughters eventually moved to Muskegon, too. She and Cliff settled into a nice mobile home park in Norton Shores where they would spend the rest of their lives. Brendas loving compassion extended far beyond her family. For several years she was a foster parent who took in numerous children. After retiring in 1993 Brenda began working as a volunteer truancy officer as she had a heart for helping kids stay in school and to reach their full potential. Brenda loved being a grandmother and seized every opportunity to babysit or watch her grandchildren. She continued to be a caregiver to her own children and other family members whenever there was a need. Later in life Brenda continued to make the most of the days she was given. She loved to sew, crochet, and do various arts and craft projects, and as an amazing seamstress she also made a beautiful wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses for her daughter, Cheri, at one time. Brenda and Cliff made several trips to visit his relatives in Montana, and she loved cheering on her Michigan State Spartans. Of course it was also fun to pick on her son-in-law who was a big University of Michigan fan. Brenda was deeply saddened with Cliffs death in 1995, and although the days were a struggle for a time, she eventually recovered by tending to others, fully focusing on their needs rather than her own. Over the years Brenda had some health issues of her own to contend with such as knee replacement, hip replacement, and shoulder replacement, but she always recovered well and did her best to maintain her positive attitude. For the past seven years she participated with the Life Circles program in Muskegon. This program allowed her to take the bus to the senior center every day where she took part in various activities like making quilts, doing crafts, and making new friends including her bus driver friend, John. It was breaking her leg a few years ago that led to a gradual decline of her health that Brenda was not able to overcome. Someone who was truly beautiful on the inside and out, Ardyce Brenda England was an extraordinary woman to know and love. She was never one to worry about building wealth, rather, her focus was on loving and caring for those around her. Brenda was a woman of many interests, but nothing was better than being surrounded by her loved ones. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Ardyce Brenda England died on July 13, 2014. Brendas family includes her daughters, Cheri Hill of Muskegon, Dixie (Lloyd) Jett of Muskegon, Barbara (Robert) Heffner of Three Rivers; stepdaughter, Linda England of MT; grandchildren, Cheri (Corey) Smith, Jeff (Angie) Bogart, Bridgette (Andrew) King, Dustin Bogart, Bob (Trisha) Heffner, Roger Heffner, Brenda (Mason) Newman; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty (Paul) Flak of Byron Center, Eunice (Noel) Johnson of Lansing, Ada (Gerry) Howell of Stanton, Betty (Robert) Campbell of Dimondale, Dorothy Elliott of Alma; brother, Jack (Betty) Harter of Ionia; many nieces and nephews. Brenda was preceded in death by her husband. Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 18, 2014, 3:00 p.m. and visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Mimi Bush officiating. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.