Mary Kathleen Babcock

Mary Kathleen “Kat” Babcock, 58, of Riverside, Michigan, passed onto eternal rest on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, at Lakeland Hospital, after a long illness. Kat was born on July 3rd, 1948, in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was the first daughter of Wayne and Alice (Derrick) Babcock, of Riverside, Michigan, who preceded her in death in 1991 and 1989, respectively. She graduated from Coloma High School, and attended the nursing program at Lake Michigan Community College several years later. She had a special place in her heart for children, so she spent many happy hours as a dedicated and well-respected volunteer at the Disability Resource Center of Southwestern Michigan, and Lakeland Medical Center. She loved nature and taking care of all God’s little creatures – birds, in particular. She was an avid reader, and a devoted patron of all the libraries in the area up until the onset of her illness. Kat’s survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Karl-Gustav Sjostrom, of Vannas, Sweden; her niece and nephew, Angela and Mike Weaver Jr., both of Kalamazoo, and an aunt, Marilyn Cardiff, of Parchment, Michigan. Special mention must be made to dedicated friend and personal assistant, Lisa Lovell, of Coloma. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 P.M., Monday, August 14, 2006, at St. Joseph Catholic Church St, 211 Church St. St. Joseph. with Father Christian Johnston officiating. Fellowship and refreshments will be offered directly after the mass at the church. Memorials may be made in Kat’s name to Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd. Benton Harbor, Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Arrangements are entrusted to Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan.