Jean Cummings

Jean Cummings lived a spirited life rich in learning and kindness and love. Single words have no way of capturing her immense energy, but many words, in a story, can try. When Jean was born on April 19, 1930, her father was already well known. William Kinsey was a prominent attorney in Charles City, Iowa. He had the support of his beautiful wife, Eathel Jean (Gibson) Carr, who was rather accomplished in her own right as Latin teacher. And as she and William began their family, they continued to push themselves by taking an active role in the Charles City community. William, in particular, set a very noticeable example for his little girl Jean and her younger brother, David, when he held the Charles City mayoral seat. Not to be outdone by her parents, Jean, too, set her standards high. She grew into a beautiful pianist, not to mention a brilliant student. At school, Jean earned straight A's and found herself well liked by her peers. Being valedictorian of her senior class came as no surprise, yet it was certainly with her ever-present humility and grace that Jean accepted the role. From a young age, Jean had a firm grasp on life. Her compassion for people was only matched by her love for animals, especially dogs. Despite having experienced a rather unfortunate history with some of her childhood pets (including the drowning death of one beloved pup), Jean maintained a passion for these special animals. She especially had a fancy for St. Bernard's that she dreamed of breeding one day. When her mother and father took her to a University of Iowa football game in her senior year of high school, Jean couldn't help but spot the mascot of the ATO fraternity - a St. Bernard, "Ato." She also noticed the handsome pledge, who as "Keeper of the Kennels" was helping to "cheer up the cheerleaders" with the dog, a young man named Bill Cummings. Little did she know that in that brief glimpse of Bill she was also seeing her future. Jean began her higher education at Carleton College, where Jean quickly ascertained that she would never meet a suitable husband! Despite her desire to attend one of the famous Ivy League women's colleges, her father viewed them as "suspect" and firmly stated he would only pay for a school West of the Mississippi, so Jean transferred to the University of Iowa, where she became of member of the Pi Phi Sorority. Whether it was fate or chance or luck, Jean ended up running into the young man with the St. Bernard, who she remembered from the previous year, at a party held in the ATO house. Jean and Bill were in the same Child Psychology class the following semester, and it seemed only polite that they get to know each other. They, with the last names of "Carr" and "Cummings," sat one seat apart in the front row of class. with a redhead nicknamed "Torchy" between them. Bill let it be known that he didn't have eyes for Torchy - only for Jean. And while the romance blossomed, Bill's academic standing didn't. He was smart and witty and a former soldier - a combination that failed to sit well with the class's German professor. The professor became flustered and angered at Bill whenever he would argue about various points in the class, which he often did. Bill only passed the class thanks to Jean, who passed along her mediocre papers. She ended up with an A, while Bill got the one and only C of his entire college career. Outside of class, Jean and Bill watched many, many movies. Bill had a job as a projectionist, which meant the two of them could sit up in the rafters of the theater, undisturbed by the crowds, and watch as many films as they wanted. One of their first viewings was of "Adam's Rib," starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. In the movie, the characters had the nickname's "Pinky" and "Pinkie." Bill started calling Jean "Pinkie" from that moment on, and it stuck. On February 2, 1951 Jean and Bill married and moved to Des Moines, where Bill was continuing his education. Jean worked to support her husband while he went through his surgical residency, and finished-up her own degree in night school. While leaving school one evening, Jean got in her car, shut the door, and a man jumped up from the back seat. He waived a gun in her face and demanded that she drive to the garbage dump. Frightened, but thinking, Jean attempted to drive into a line of parked cars, trying to hit one, but couldn't. The resulting chaos gave her opportunity to use her lit cigarette as a weapon. She shoved the burning end of it into her captor's face and jumped out of the car to freedom. Her abductor successfully evaded police until a week later, when, in exactly the same circumstances, another woman was killed. While Jean would suffer from emphysema in her later years, her family admits that at least on one occasion, her nicotine addiction was a good thing. In February of 1954, Bill delivered his, and Jean's, first child, Bruce, in Des Moines. In 1956, Bill delivered their second child, Bethany, too, although it wasn't planned that way. The obstetrician was "having too much fun" celebrating St. Patrick's Day, so Bill thankfully stepped in. Bill would ultimately deliver all their children. In 1958, a third child, daughter Kerry, also became part of the family. The growing household moved to Stanwood, Michigan, where Bill opened his surgical practice. But after being in Michigan only a few weeks, tragedy struck. Six-month-old Kerry came down with meningitis. At the hospital, doctors immediately sent Jean home to sanitize everything, in hopes of preventing the sickness from infecting the other children. Bill remained with Kerry at the hospital. When he returned home late that evening, alone, Jean knew. Kerry was gone. Kerry's death deeply devastated Jean. All she could do was focus on her family, and keep Kerry's presence alive by continuing to talk about and remember her. The Cummings family (upon Jean's urging) ultimately welcomed a fourth child, Brenda, in 1961. Together the clan moved to "Old Man River Lodge," a beautiful log home on the Muskegon River. Jean absolutely loved it. In fact, she spent the next 25 years researching the river and that research led to the 2000 publication of her book, Shinglebolt. Her story of lumbering on the river, in the early days of Michigan, has become a staple in many Michigan elementary classrooms. Jean went on to publish four other books as well, Why They Call Him the Buffalo Doctor, Alias the Buffalo Doctor and Buffalo in the Backyard. These books serve as an entertaining chronicle of the Cummings' Family life with an assortment of animals, especially the herd of Buffalo they had for so many years. They talk of their life on the river and the move, ten years later, to Fruitport. There, they continued to have lots of space and lots of pets, among them Shaman (a crow), Little Joe (a buffalo), a fawn, and, of course, Jean's beloved St. Bernard's. Years passed quickly - and happily - and before Jean knew it, her children were grown and off tending to their own families. Jean could have chosen to slow down. Of course, she didn't. Instead, she decided to go to law school. The fact that she hadn't been a student in over fifty years mattered little. Out of 250 who started in her online class, only 50 remained by the end of the first year. She finished that first year in true form, all A's, but realized her health would not let her continue. At 72, it was time to slow down a bit. Jean continued to enjoy her family and her life, especially their "Hanky Panky" house, a proper "doctor's house" on the Hanky Panky Bayou. And their home in Harbor Lights near Venice, FL. This past spring, Jean returned home to Spring Lake for good. It was there that she finished her days, dying the way she lived, in good humor, surrounded by the love and peace of her family, until she slipped away in her sleep. Jean was a source of support and inspiration to all those around her. The stories of her life and her love will be remembered and told by generations to come. Jean Cummings was born April 19, 1930 in Charles City, Iowa, daughter of William & Eathel Carr. She married Dwain Wellman Cummings in 1951. She attended Carleton College, University of Iowa and graduated from Drake University. Her love of learning was shown at the young and tender age of 73, by completing her first year of law school through Concordia University's online program. Health issues prevented her ability to continue. The couple moved to the Stanwood, Michigan area in 1958 and the Fruitport area in 1968. Jean was primarily a family support person. She was involved in the activities of her children in the Fruitport School System. She enjoyed writing, having 5 books published plus numerous articles. She also assisted in her husbands medical office, enjoyed tennis, and working at the Fruitport Area News for 10 years. Jean passed away on Monday, October 23, 2006. In 1958, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Kerry, later followed by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Dwain Cummings; one son, Dr. Bruce Cummings and his wife Dr. Gracia Goade, their children, Morgan Cummings, Madison Cummings and McKenzie Cummings of Pacific Palisades, CA; daughters, Dr. Bethany Cummings of Winchester, VA & Brenda (Cummings) Schrandt and her husband Kurt Schrandt of Fruitport. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the charity of your choice. Services are Friday, October 27, 2006, 1:00 PM at Fruitport Congregational U.C.C. with Pastor Donald Wood officiating. Visitation is Thursday, 5-7 PM at Clock Lifestory Funeral Home - Fruitport. MEMORIAL: Charity of Choice.