Lucinda “Cindy” Arenas

“Where there is deep grief, there was great love”. There are no words and there are so many words as we announce the passing of Lucinda (Cindy) Kay Arenas of Holland, Michigan. She passed away unexpectedly at age 73 on Thursday, December 22, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Cindy was born in Holland, Michigan on Thursday, May 12, 1949, to Melvin and Joan Kragt, and grew up in Holland with her older brother, Tim, and younger brother, Mike. Her mother, Joan, was very involved in her community and could bake or cook anything – she was one of Cindy’s greatest inspirations. Cindy said her mom was, “…the strongest and most independent person I knew.” It is clear that Cindy derived her humor, charisma, and lovingness from her mom.

Cindy met Richard Arenas during their time at Holland High School. Cindy and Rich married in February 1967, celebrating 55 years of marriage this year.

Less than a month after her mother’s passing in 1967, Cindy gave birth to her firstborn, Melissa. She went on to have two more daughters, Reneé in 1968, and Sarah in 1971.

Cindy was very active in all of her children’s lives, from being a room mother in elementary school to being a constant presence at all of their extra-curricular activities throughout middle and high school. Missy, Reneé, and Sarah’s friends found a very welcoming space in Cindy’s home. The infamous candy cupboard was a main attraction as well as her way of making everyone feel comfortable. She built special relationships with many of their friends. Cindy prepared her daughters for college (MSU and U of M) and life with her never-ending support.

Her first grandchild, Jack Groothuis, and second, Abigail Sprick, born 11 days apart, arrived in December 2000. The family expanded further with the birth of Lucy Groothuis in March 2002, and Claire Sprick in August of the same year. In March 2010, the birth of Lilian Sprick completed Cindy’s harmonious family unit.

Cindy was an omnipresent and immensely impactful figure throughout the twelve to twenty-two years she was able to spend with her grandchildren. She was their biggest fan from pre-K to college in several different sports. Whether it was hours sitting in the bleachers at a volleyball tournament or in the freezing cold/rain during soccer games, Cindy was always there. Athletics aside, many remember Cindy’s commitment in other ways: her help with vocabulary tests and a variety of other volunteer roles at Lakeshore Elementary, her attendance at orchestra and choir concerts, theater productions, robotic events, her carpool rides for the grandchildren, and their friends/teammates.

Cindy was preceded in death by her mother, Joan Winslow, in 1967, by her father, Melvin Kragt, in 1980, and by her best friend, Grace Piersma, in 2016.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Richard Arenas; daughter, Missy Groothuis; daughter, Reneé Sprick and son-in-law, Scott Sprick; daughter, Sarah Arenas; grandson, Jack Groothuis; granddaughters, Abigail Sprick (fiancé Jarrett Baker), Lucy Groothuis, Claire Sprick, and Lilian Sprick. Two brothers: Tim (Linda) Kragt and Mike (Pat) Kragt; sisters-in-law: Rachel Guerrero and Rosemary Arenas; and several nieces and nephews. Cindy is additionally survived by Kevin Groothuis (father to Jack and Lucy), Tami Groothuis & Kate Snyder (aunts to Jack and Lucy), along with her “honorary grandchild” Caleb Lowell.

Because we loved her, we will miss her forever.

Visitation
Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland, MI 49423

Memorial Service
Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland, MI 49423

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Cindy’s memory to:

The Panther Fund – https://www.thepantherfund.org/

Ed and Nancy Hanenburg Children’s Advocacy Center- https://cacottawa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/cacottawa/donation.jsp

Harbor Humane Society – https://harborhumane.org/donate/