Lorene Parrish

Lorene Parrish, 96, passed from the arms of her loving family on December 7, 2011 and was welcomed with open arms into her heavenly home. She was born June 6, 1915 in Morrilton, Arkansas to Peter and Mary Ann (Denny) Wheeler. She was the eldest daughter of 8 siblings and at an early age assumed the role of care taker. The family moved to South Haven in 1936. She met the love of her life Jerry Parrish, and they married on March 27, 1942; and were blessed with 38 wonderful years together, until his passing in 1980.
Lorene worked at S.E. Overton and was a Medical Assistant/Office Manager for Dr. Terwilliger. She was an active member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of Hope Reformed Church. She was an avid reader, and loved gardening, Elvis, American Idol and Clementine’s onion rings, but she cherished time spent with family above all else. She was instrumental in the nurturing of three generations, and as the family matriarch, lovingly referred to as “Queenie Renie”. Her precious life lessons live on in the hearts and minds of all who loved her.
She is survived by surrogate daughter Mona (Jim) Hale of So. Haven, grandson Shawn and his daughter Analise (St. Thomas, USVI), granddaughter Ashley (Los Angeles, CA). Niece Kathy (J.J.) Jaglowski (Kalamazoo) and their daughter Carrie Knowlton (Denver, CO), nephew Jamie (Marsha) Olson (Midlothian, VA) and their daughters Lindsey and Molly, (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Erik Olson (Kalamazoo) and daughter Jasmine and great niece Linda (Paul) Kusmak and their son Hunter (Alexandria, MN).
A private memorial service will take place on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home with Rev. Curry Pikaart and Rev. Gerrit Haagsma officiating. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Hope Reformed Church of South Haven or South Haven Hospice at Home.