Dorothy Ann Slocum

Dorothy Ann Slocum (Thomas) of Lakeland Fl and Fremont MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and love on October 4th, 2015. Born on November 4th, 1933, Dorothy was a lifelong homemaker, devoted wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Dorothy was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but spent most of her childhood in Middleville, MI where she graduated from Thornapple-Kellogg High School on 1951. She married Kenneth F. Slocum on April 19, 1952. A few years later, the family moved to the blue house in Fremont, MI where she and Ken raised seven children. Dorothy was always concerned about nutrition and was a forerunner in the tofu and granola generation. She had to be frugal and taught herself to cook delicious meals on a limited budget. She became a superb baker and made the world’s best cinnamon rolls, banana cream pies and oatmeal cookies, all of which she shared freely. She was a fierce defender of the family, loved children and spent many happy hours caring for babies and toddlers. She encouraged all of her children to be in sports and taught them the love of swimming, which she enjoyed her entire life. She spent summers at the cottage on Gun Lake with family and friends. From the time they met, Dorothy and Ken were dance partners. They attended the Klompen Club events and danced every chance they could. She shared Ken’s love of music and made sure the kids learned to play musical instruments. Dorothy was also an avid bridge player with a club in Fremont. When Ken became ill, Dorothy was a devoted caregiver. After the move to Florida, Dorothy and her dog Daisy walked miles every day to visit and care for friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth F. Slocum, her father William L. Thomas and her mother Margaret H. Thomas (Feldpausch). She is survived by her two sisters Mary Lou (Cork) Wilson and Cathy (Don) Williamson, her seven children Mike (Linda) Slocum, Jim (Patty Lynch) Slocum, Larry (Mary) Slocum, Teresa (Kevin ) Caliguri, Tom (Ellen) Slocum, Cathy (Tom) Pearce, and Jeff (Debbie) Slocombe, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There will a celebration of Dorothy’s life in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of Safe Harbors Christian Communities (CERMI) www.safeharbormi.org .

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Dorothy Ann Slocum

November 4, 1933 - October 4, 2015