Sylvia A. Van Poolen passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024 at the age of 93. Sylvia was born on March 27, 1931 in Whitinsville, MA, the daughter of Henry and Tillie Kooistra. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward H. Van Poolen whose birthdate was also March 27, 1931, and her brothers Andrew Kooistra and Philip Kooistra. She is survived by her children, Edward H. Van Poolen (Marcia), Laurel J. Sybesma (Charles), and James P. Van Poolen (Tracey Kooy). She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

At 17 years old, Sylvia's father put her on the train from her hometown in Whitinsville, MA to Grand Rapids, MI to attend Calvin College. It was there that she met her love Ed and they married in June 1952 a couple weeks after they both graduated. Sylvia taught elementary education at Timothy Christian School near Chicago, IL for five years before moving to Wheaton, IL where they raised their family and made life-long friends. In 1975 Ed's career required them to move to Michigan, their favorite yearly vacation place. The next ten years they relocated seven times around the state of Michigan and Ohio. Each year Sylvia redecorated a house and became very talented at everything from wallpapering, painting and making professional draperies. The joke was that when she finished hanging the last drapery, it was time to move again. In 1990 they remodeled their cottage at Gun Lake and moved there permanently. Her dear Ed passed away the next year when they were both 59 years old.

Sylvia was a wonderful Mom, adored Grandma and dear friend to so many and these relationships were a top priority in her life. In addition to being loving, she was fun.

She made sure everyone around her was having fun as well. She loved to entertain and graciously hosted family and friends at her condo in Florida and her home at Gun Lake with such frequency that she appeared to be running her own bed and breakfast.

Sylvia was a social gal. She loved family gatherings, pontoon boat rides and lake fun. She was a member of many groups including Women's Club, Garden Clubs, Quilt Groups, Bridge Clubs, MahJong Groups, Book Clubs and Bible Study Groups. Her passions were quilting, knitting, gardening, playing bridge, and always reading the latest best seller. In her earlier years she was an exemplary seamstress and sewed all of her and her daughter's clothes with expert precision. She made many quilts giving them to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also gave them away to people in need through her church group Comfort Covers and donated many for fund raising auctions.

Her final years were spent doing all of the things listed above as she was active until her passing. Her favorite place was sitting in her green chair looking out at her beautiful view of Gun Lake. Some of her last words were: "I'm 93 years old, I have had a wonderful life, and I know where I am going next."

A private burial has taken place. There will be a Memorial Service at Zaagman Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, MI on Friday, July 5 with visitation at 11:00am followed by the service at 12:00pm. Please visit www.Zaagman.com to share a memory, leave condolences or see the Memorial Contribution options chosen by the family.