Corinne Cummins

Died peacefully at age 93 on August 4, 2019 at Friendship Village. Born September 21, 1925 in Denver, CO, to Henry and Nellie (VandePolder) Buiskool. Corinne received her nursing degree from Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. She worked 13 years as a nurse at The Upjohn Company before joining the Foreign Service to “see more of the world.” It was while serving as a nurse in the Sudan that she met her future husband, Edmond (Ed) Cummins. They married in Recife, Brazil and lived in many places all over the world, including the Sudan, Kenya and Rio de Janeiro. Upon returning to Kalamazoo, they settled at Pretty Lake. After the death of her husband, Corinne continued to travel and especially enjoyed trips to London, China, Egypt and the Netherlands. Corinne was a strong supporter of the performing arts and especially enjoyed the Kalamazoo Symphony and the Gilmore Festival. She valued her friends and family and enjoyed hosting gatherings at Pretty Lake. She was an avid reader and bridge player, and a faithful member of St Martin of Tours Episcopal Church. Corinne was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; and her siblings Charles Vander Veen and Evelyn Szakas. She is survived by her Kalamazoo daughter Becky Bigelow; nieces and nephews Laura (Mark) Eiler, Theresa (Amerigo) Marcelletti, Joseph (Kathleen) Szakas, and Thomas (Michelle) Szakas; along with many cousins, grand nieces and grand nephews; and her beloved companion Phil Mange. Even though Corinne did not have children of her own, she was Grandma Corky to Alex (Danielle) Bigelow and Nana to Sam and Ben Eiler. Cremation has taken place. Services will be held at 10AM on Wednesday (Aug 21) at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 2010 Nichols Rd, Kalamazoo. A luncheon will follow at the church. Visit Corinne’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com where you may archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or Open Doors Kalamazoo. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Special thanks to Kathy Harmon and her wonderful staff at Friendship Village for their extraordinary care.