Hope Gaynell Meiresonne

Hope Gaynell Hughes Shoemaker Meiresonne passed away on May 4th, 2016. She was born on January 16th, 1921, in Earnshaw, West Virginia. Hope was preceded in death by her beloved parents and siblings and their spouses: R. Lincoln and Rosa Del Hughes, Herbert (Christine) Hughes, Harold (Clara) Hughes, Garnet (Charles) Eddy, Gail (Laurel) Snyder, Delbert (Janet) Hughes, Robert (Shirley) Hughes, and Juanita (Robert) Tetu. The Hughes family left their family farm in West Virginia when she was 8 years old and moved north, living in Norwich, Ohio, Alma Michigan, and then settling in West Branch Michigan—following her father’s work in the oil/natural gas business. Hope graduated from West Branch High School in 1939. Thereafter she put herself through Bay City Business College, stopping short of graduation to take a job with the Michigan Social Security Commission office in West Branch. She married Jack Shoemaker on June 12th, 1943 in Las Angeles, CA while Jack was on leave prior to a three year stint of active army duty in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Upon Jack’s return the couple built a home at 293 Fairview Street, West Branch. Jack was co-owner and partner with his father , John H. Shoemaker, of the family business—a chain of dime stores ”Shoemaker’s J & J Stores” located in West Branch, Grayling, and Gaylord. Hope was the company payroll administrator until the business was sold in 1976. Her Scotch-Irish heritage was evident in all aspects of her life; frugal, loyal, loving to her family, generous, and never one to back down from a challenge. As a kid she pitched baseball to her older brothers. They couldn’t afford a baseball and so she pitched a golf ball. Her mentors were those older brothers, and her beloved sisters, and her vigorous father, and her mother who she revered most of all. Hope was an avid golfer, seamstress, and cook. She loved her friends in West Branch—celebrating her 90th birthday with some that she had known for over 70 years. And animals held a special place in her heart, exemplified by the years of the ménagerie doctoring and nursing she provided. Jack Shoemaker preceded her in death on December 25th, 1983. Following that came her happy days with second husband, Rene Meiresonne, of Moline Illinois. They celebrated his birthday by marrying each in Venice Florida on February 10th, 1988. The next ten years were very happy for them both. Rene, also a WWII veteran of service in Patton’s Army, passed away at the couple’s home in Largo Florida on December 25th, 1998. Thereafter Hope moved to Traverse City, MI and lived at The Village At Bay Ridge, and then her final residence at Hawthorn Cottage of the Grand Traverse Pavilions. She is survived by her family: Rene’s children and their spouses: Louise (Don) Capes, Dan (Chris) Meiresonne, Steve (Barb) Meiresonne, Greg (Shalane) Meiresonne, Mark (June) Meiresonne, and her children: Gwen (Chris) Schaiberger, Susan Shoemaker, and John (Michael Bodus) Shoemaker. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Donations in Hope’s memory can be made to yourself. Seek out joy in your day and you’ll be honoring Hope in a way that would make her smile. In the end you hold A cup I put to your lips; Sips, and trust, we, thank

Hope Gaynell Meiresonne

January 16, 1921 - May 4, 2016