Dorothy M. Humphreys

No one ever saw Dorothy Humphreys walking. She was always running. But Dorothy was never in a great hurry - she was just excited to experience life's next moment. Dorothy was an optimistic, cheerful woman who tried each day to share her happiness with her beloved family. She was a source of joy for everyone who knew her. With the victorious end to the Great War, thousands of young soldiers returned to their civilian lives back home. Industry expanded rapidly to meet the demands of a peacetime nation, and the stock market soared. The Roaring Twenties emerged as a decade of prosperity and good fortune. In the town of Nunica, Michigan, William and Ella France discovered another reason to celebrate. They were expecting a child. On May 30, 1921 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their daughter Dorothy. Dorothy was born of English and German descent. Her parents were both first generation immigrants, and they met by chance in Ohio. After starting their family, they moved to the small farming community of Nunica. While Dorothy's mother tended to the house, her father provided for the family through his job as a cabinet maker for E.H. Sheldon Co. Muskegon. The fourth of eight children, Dorothy grew up in Nunica with the company of her three sisters and four brothers. She and her siblings were responsible for chores on the farm. When Dorothy was still very young, she accidentally started a fire while playing with her dolls. Although the fire was put out without much damage to the house, Dorothy was then sent to the basement. It was a scary place for a young girl! She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Nunica through the eighth grade. At that point she dedicated herself to working on the farm. She also worked at a bakery, and she babysat from time to time. Dorothy met the love of her life at a dance in Cloverville, located in Fruitport Township. Clare Humphreys took one look at Dorothy and immediately he fell in love. They were married on October 3, 1939 in Nunica, marking the beginning of a happy union that would last nearly sixty-five years. Dorothy and Clare were the proud parents of four wonderful sons, William, Glenn, Lane, and Mark. Dorothy was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Muskegon. Dorothy was an easy woman to love. She was gifted at demonstrating her affection, and she was always quick to give hugs and kisses. Whenever someone left the house, she would stand at the kitchen window, waving until the car disappeared from sight. Clare was responsible for all the cooking, and Dorothy was responsible for the baking. Her specialties were Lemon and Butterscotch pies, a family favorite. Her children have all tried to duplicate this dessert, but no one has succeeded yet. Dorothy retained her love for dolls throughout her life. She owned an extensive collection which she enjoyed showing to family and friends. Dorothy was talented with ceramics, and her family treasures the many beautiful pieces that she created. Dorothy and Clare shared a love for travel. In their later years they drove across the country, from the East Coast to the West Coast. They also flew to Europe to visit their son William who was living in Germany at the time. In her later years Dorothy was thrilled to see her family grow with the blessing of grandchildren and great-grandkids. Dorothy was the happiest when she was with her family, and she treasured all the time that she spent in their company. Among the many people whose hearts she touched, Dorothy will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Dorothy died on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. She is survived by 4 sons, Glenn (Meredith) Humphreys of Comstock Park, Lane (Rhonda) Humphreys of Ravenna, Mark (Christine) Humphreys of Lisbon, NH, William G (Beverly) Humphreys of Winter Haven, FL; 8 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; 3 brothers, Leonard (Dori) France of Grand Haven, Robert (Norma) France of Nunica & Harold (Pat) France of Mesa, AZ. She was preceeded in death by her husband Clare on May 2, 2004, her parents, 1 brother & 2 sisters. The service for Dorothy will be held on Friday, May 19, 2006, 2:00 PM at Clock Funeral Home - Fruitport with Rev. Donald Zimmerman officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. The Visitation is on Thursday, 7-9 PM at Clock Funeral Home - Fruitport. Please visit Dorothy's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Association.