Terri Paddock

Terri Paddock was a generous and loving person. Family-oriented, she spent any amount of time with her children and grandchildren. Compassionate and caring, perhaps the greatest legacy that she leaves behind is the family she so loved. Gone too soon, she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

The 1960s were known as the era of optimism. At the beginning of this promising decade in our nation’s history, Eugene and Marilyn (Campbell) Wilson welcomed home their newborn daughter, Terri, on November 13, 1961, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Born ten years younger than her siblings, she was the baby of the family. Her birth gave them much joy and happiness.

Terri’s childhood was filled with many special memories and tragedies, losing her father at a young age. Terri often talked about her childhood fondly spending time with family and being very close with her mother. Throughout her life, her aunts and cousins remained close to her heart, always gathering and spending time together. Terri was a graduate from Comstock High School where she was well-liked by her classmates. More recently, she kept in touch with her close group of friends and got together with them for breakfast at least once a month. In high school, Terri started work at Borgess hospital where she remained employed for over 40 years. Her co-workers were like family to her. They grew fond of her stories of her children and grandchildren.

Terri married her high school sweetheart, Dale Weststrate. Together they had two wonderful children, Adam, and Ashley. Their marriage later ended in divorce, and she later married Dale Paddock. She and Dale met through mutual friends and enjoyed bowling together. They made many special memories together before his sudden passing in 2021.

The Christmas season was always her favorite. It started as soon as Christmas music hit the radio, which was sometimes in October. Terri would get together with friends and spend countless hours preparing and baking Christmas treats. She always fit it all in, including the Hallmark specials and Christmas movie classics. No holiday was complete without all the decorations and traditional meals. She was happiest when family was together.

Terri was the best mom and her children’s biggest supporter. She was incredibly proud of the relationship that her children had together and with her. As much as Terri loved being a mom, she was thrilled to become a grandma. Terri treasured spending time with her grandkids and would often have her hands full! She enjoyed every moment they spent together. Over the years, they took several trips to the zoo and visited Disney. She was born to be a grandma! Terri always looked on the bright side of life and considered herself blessed by her abundant family. Sadly, she is gone too soon. Described as compassionate, fun-loving, and generous, Terri will be forever missed by her many special friends and loved ones. May they always reflect fondly on the joy she brought to their lives and may her memories be eternal.

Terri Paddock, age 61, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on May 23, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Dale Paddock. Surviving are her children: Adam (Dinah) Weststrate and Ashley (Derek) Dusseljee; grandchildren: Easton, Everly, Sofia, and Oliver; siblings: Brad (Louise) Wilson and Karen (Scott) Stanley; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Thursday, June 1st from 4–7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900. A Life Story Service will be held Friday, June 2nd at 11 AM, also at the funeral home. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center. Visit Terri’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and to sign her guestbook.