Mary VanOpstall, age 75, of Holland passed away Wednesday June 24, 2026, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Mary is survived by her sons and families; Michael VanOpstall and Catherine Norman (Anthony, Ia, Claire and Madeleine) David and Tracy VanOpstall, her siblings; Mel and Marsha Cooke, Kevin and Christy Cooke, Curt and Sue Cooke, Cheryl and Dave Beute, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Bruce Wormmester, Tom and Jan VanOpstall, Jim and Diane VanOpstall, and Earl and Pat VanOpstall, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary lived a life she considered richly blessed! She often described the good things in her life as gifts from God and carried a deep sense of gratitude for the people and experiences that shaped her.
Mary was the beloved daughter of Melvin Robert Cooke and Josephine DeFouw Cooke. Mary treasured memories of her childhood home, the garden, the cornfield, the creek, and the pine trees that surrounded it. She remained deeply connected to her brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, and extended family throughout her life. Their love, support, and especially their shared sense of humor brought her endless laughter and joy.
Mary was devoted to her family. She was a loving wife (married to Al for 48 years), mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who found her greatest happiness in the people she loved. She had a great love for the beach and Lake Michigan, and she and Al would often take drives to Oval Beach for dinner over the grill. She often spoke of the overwhelming love she felt for her children and took immense pride in the lives they built, the families they created, and the people they became.
Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. They were constantly in her thoughts and prayers, and she delighted in creating memories with them through baking, sewing, crafting, card games and many games of Yahtzee. She hoped they would always remember the love and laughter they shared together, and especially time spent together at a cottage on Lake Michigan earlier this spring.
After retirement, Mary discovered a passion for sewing and quilting that opened a new chapter of friendship and creativity. Through quilting, she found a vibrant community of friends whose talents, kindness, and fellowship enriched her life. She treasured these relationships and the joy they brought her.
Mary was a woman of strong faith whose relationship with God guided her throughout her life. She found comfort, strength, and purpose in her faith and desired above all that those she loved would continue to walk in faith and one day be reunited together in eternal life.
Mary will be remembered for her grateful heart, generosity, creativity, devotion to family, and unwavering faith. Though her family mourns her loss, they rejoice in a life well lived and the promise of the resurrection.
The family invites you to remember, honor, and celebrate Mary at a visitation on Friday, June 26, from 10:30-11:45 followed by a funeral service at noon at Hudsonville Reformed Church (3950 Highland Dr, Hudsonville) officiated by Rev. David VanOpstall and Rev. Ron Boersema. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to 20 Liters https://20liters.org/get-involved/#give
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