Barbara Mark

Barbara A. Vander Mark died in hospital on January 15th at the age of 66. Ms. Vander Mark was a native and long-time resident of Grand Rapids. She graduated from Central High School's class of 1968 and attended Western Michigan University. She spent most of her professional life with the City of Grand Rapids, working in various capacities in the Police Department, Public Housing Office and City Assessor's Office. She had a sharp mind and high standards. Ms. Vander Mark loved genealogy and local history. She maintained a website for public use full of noteworthy information on Grand Rapids' historic neighborhoods, street maps, fire barns and public schools. She made presentations at the Grand Rapids Library, and assembled a book of local genealogy materials for the library. She took great pleasure in the company of her two cats, Scamp and Grady, and was inspired by the music of Celtic Thunder. Though challenged in later years by health problems, she never lost her active, inquisitive mind or her fighting spirit. Ms. Vander Mark is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Phyllis (Freeman) Vander Mark, and her brother, Allan. Other family members include her sister, Carol Jeanne, her aunt, Evelyn Venzke, of Hubertus, Wisconsin, and several cousins. Friends will organize a private service at a later date to honor her memory. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara Ann Vander Mark please visit our Sympathy Store.