Brigid Stersic

A warm, social, and hard-working woman, Brigid Stersic cherished family, friendship, and connection. Brigid welcomed each day as a gift and every person as a friend. Known for her laughter, love of gatherings, and for her ‘gift of gab’, Brigid fully embraced humanity. She loved life and was good at everything she did, and she did a lot! No matter how busy she was, she was always engaged and available to support others. She expertly balanced a busy career, school, and family life, while actively pursuing opportunities to learn and grow. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Brigid will long be remembered by those she knew and who so dearly loved her.

In the months leading up to Brigid's birth, the mobilization of war efforts was quick and effective; carmakers and other manufacturers shifted to the production of weapons. Gas rationing, Scrap Days, and Victory Gardens became the norm. At the same time, the Declaration of the United Nations, the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and the Voice of America assured that every citizen had their eyes focused on a better future. For Brigid’s family, nowhere was there more hope for the future than in Midland, Michigan, where Brigid was born on January 1, 1943, being the first baby born in the county and one of the first three in the entire State, that wonderful New Year's Day.

As a middle child, Brigid attended local schools and treasured making friends, having fun, and enjoying any available get-together. Family was always a primary focus for Brigid, and though her parents divorced when she was young, she went on to enjoy having eight siblings; including a step sister and 3 half-siblings from her father’s second marriage.

After graduating from high school, Brigid continued her education at Western Michigan University, where she studied and received a certificate in the Secretarial Profession, until Tom Stersic sang his way into her heart. A talented, self-taught musician who played banjo and guitar, Tom's voice captured Brigid's heart while she captured his by feeding him his favorite snack, potato chips. The couple began dating, sharing their mutual love of music, writing long love letters, and setting their hearts on sharing the future.

On August 8, 1964, Brigid and Tom happily married, officially beginning their more than sixty-year adventure together. After marrying, Brigid left school to focus on her family, which grew to include five children. She instilled in her children the values of hard work, a good education, and meaningful connections with others. Leading by example, Brigid always encouraged her children to follow their dreams, and she loved being involved in church activities and her kids' school activities to foster connections with others. Although, given her busy life, she would often have to go through the whole ‘Rolodex of kids names’ before she reached the right one she needed.

A very strong woman, Brigid returned to college in her forties. With her signature hard work and determination, she earned her bachelor's degree in Communications at Western Michigan University and continued a career as an Executive Secretary for the Upjohn Company. While working full-time and raising her children left little time to be the best housekeeper, Brigid always made sure the family enjoyed great holidays together. Because she always prepared whatever her kids wanted for their birthday meals she perfected a mean lasagna, a tasty stroganoff, and her hamburger noodle casserole remains a family favorite.

With a terrific sense of humor that inspired perpetual laughter, Brigid really valued connection and friendship. She sought and found humor in all things, had a contagious ‘laugh out loud’ and, equally as engaging, a distinctly loud hilarious sneeze, too. Really busy doing it all, Brigid was often surrounded by friends, including many lifelong ‘besties’. She absolutely relished playing golf, bowling, many card games, and traveling, while continuously radiating happiness to those around her. Despite Tom’s reservations, she even had the thrill of attending two Super Bowls with her friends only.

Tender and loving, Brigid thoroughly enjoyed life's simple pleasures too, like grinding beans for her own home-brewed coffee and spending time with her children and grandchildren, and later in life learning to quilt. She taught Rachel, who loved shopping with her, to sew. Chris loved her ability to laugh and spread joy to others. Matt fondly remembers joining her on many of her exercise walks, and Andy will always remember how she encouraged and supported him through all his entrepreneurial endeavors. Interested in anything her children were interested in, she encouraged her kids and grandchildren to try new things while rarely missing her kids and grandkids sports games, theatrical productions, or special events. Brigid lit up with a big smile when she saw her loved ones, beaming with pride and joy, ready to discover what was happening in their lives.

As we celebrate Brigid's big, beautiful life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying her legacy of love and light forward. In each moment we greet a stranger as a friend, enjoy a hearty conversation, cheer on our loved ones' endeavors, share a boisterous laugh, confidently face life's challenges, listen to our favorite tunes with our beloved, and wholeheartedly choose and spread joy, we keep Brigid's spirit alive and inspire others as she so inspired each of us.

Brigid Stersic of Kalamazoo, age 82, died on November 8, 2025. Brigid was born January 1, 1943 in Midland, MI to Maxwell Merton Dean and Patricia Madeline (Bale) Dean. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom “Sterz” Stersic; son, Tim Stersic; sister Martha (Dean) Baker; and brothers Fraser Dean, and Hugh Dean. Surviving are her children: Chris (Lisa) Stersic, Rachel Metheany, Andy Stersic, and Matt (Jessica Smith) Stersic; daughter-in-law, Becky; grandchildren: Carli (Levi) Borton, Delaney (Camilo) Zuluaga, Gaia (Seanne) Walker, Eden Metheany, Grace Metheany, Ryan Stersic, Matthew Stersic, Luke Stersic, Anna Stersic, Haley (Dalton) Fuss, Cassie (Tyler) Diemer, Lanie (Brysonn) Aulbach, and Jed Stersic; great-grandson, L.J. Borton; siblings, Patrick Dean, Susan (Dean) Sias, Michael Dean, David Dean, Diedre ‘DiDi’ (Dean) DeBoer; and many, many nieces, nephews and their wonderful children.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Sunday November 16, 2025 from 5 PM - 7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. The Rosary will be recited prior to the visitation at 4:30 PM. Mass will be celebrated on Monday November 17, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Ambrose Parish. Burial at Vicksburg Cemetery with a reception at Jac’s Pizza Portage to follow. Celebrate Brigid’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo or the Western Michigan University Foundation.