Amie Beilby

All who knew Amie Beilby would agree that she was truly beautiful inside and out. She gave everything her all, and she never hesitated to do what she could for her family and friends. A longtime resident of the community she loved, Amie never met a stranger. She was deeply devoted to her husband and children, and she was happiest when surrounded by their love. Life will never be the same without Amie here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The 1970s were a time of transition in America as we were on the brink of the age of technology. Our quest to learn more about space continued, and Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak create the Apple Computer Company. It was also during this exciting time when a baby girl named Amie drew her first breath. She was the youngest of three as she joined her older sisters, Beth and Cheri.

Raised in the family home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Amie was a young girl of her generation. She became interested in 4-H, and her first horse, Dusty, was so important to her. Amie later got into barrel racing with her horse, Sun Down. As a student she attended schools in Schoolcraft. She was very outgoing and loved riding dirt bikes at their cabin in Baldwin. They spent many weekends up there, and it was a great getaway for the whole family. Amie loved dancing, especially line dancing, as well as sun bathing and going to tanners. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1989. New and exciting changes were in store for Amie when she met and later married Brian Nap. Together they were blessed with the birth of their son, Matthew, in 1991. Amie working doing some odd jobs including cleaning for Molly Maid, but she primarily stayed home to care for Matthew.

It was while working at Valley Party Store that Amie’s life took an exciting turn. There, she got to know a coworker named Mark. Although it wasn’t love at first sight, they did connect in time. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Amie and Mark were married on June 27, 1997, in Twin Lakes Church. After a honeymoon up at Mackinac Island, the newlyweds began their lives together as husband and wife at their home in Almena near Paw Paw. They were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Paiton, in 1999.

There was no greater gift in Amie’s life than her family. As a mom she was second to none, and she always put her kids first. Amie looked forward to Christmas as it was a time to spoil her kids will all the gifts as she believed that the more gifts the better. She did make sure to keep things even among her kids, however, as this was important to her when she was growing up. Amie loved Christmas shopping, and when it came to shopping for herself she went to all the mall stores like Banana Republic and American Eagle as she loved her designer clothes. Amie also taught her children about responsibility. Dinner was always right at 5:00 each night, and she was famous for her spaghetti bake and anything with cream of mushroom soup.

Throughout her life Amie was a woman on the go. She liked Halloween for the parties and the decorating, and she also enjoyed bowling while drinking Captain and Coke. More recently Amie had gotten into camping as well as scary and paranormal movies. She was a music lover who enjoyed country music as well as various other genres. Amie liked her coffee with sugar, and although she was willing to get up with her husband at 4:00 in the morning she usually went back to bed once he left. She also liked strawberry daiquiris and singing karaoke. One of her favorite songs for karaoke was “Grandpa” by the Judd’s.

Life was forever changed for Amie 14 years ago when she received a heart stint when she was just 35. With chronic heart problems, she underwent open heart surgery two times. Sadly, these surgeries didn’t work, and her heart issues continued to worsen. Amie had the most severe form of heart disease that the Cleveland Clinic had ever seen for her age. She always knew her body so well so she knew when something wasn’t right in the midst of receiving multiple stints. Dr. Pow at St. Joseph Hospital was her biggest supporter through it all. This past summer was filled with lots of fun including their vacation to Florida, which was something Amie was able to cross off her bucket list. She loved going to the South Haven campgrounds, and it was so much fun since the kids both have their own campers too. Amie spent two weeks in the U.P. touring with Mark, and she did her best to keep up despite her health struggles.

In everything, even her struggles, Amie Beilby remained positive, upbeat, and intently focused on those around her. She was classy, well-kept, and always liked to look her best with her makeup and hair done just so. Amie fully embraced each and every moment she was given with her loved ones, and she fought hard until the very end. She taught others what it truly means to love without condition, and through the life she lived each day she inspired everyone around her. Deeply loved, Amie will be forever missed.

Amie Beilby, died November 13, 2019 at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was preceded in death by her sister, Beth Locker. Surviving are her husband of 22 years, Mark Beilby; 2 children: Matthew Beilby (Chloe Weaver) and Paiton Beilby; parents: Pete (Coleen) Beeke and Melanie (Scott) Mursch; sister, Cheri (Robert) Locker, grandmother, Dorothy Beeke, grandma Tomi, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Visit with family and friends on Monday (Nov. 18) from 5 – 7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 375-2900 where services will be held Tuesday (Nov. 19) at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Almena Cemetery. Please visit Amie’s personal memory page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorials contributions may be made to American Heart Association.