Emily W. Reed

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Emma “Emily” Reed on November 12th, 2024, at the age of 91. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother (Nana), and friend to many. Emily was born on June 25th, 1933 in Poth, TX to Mary and Jesse Hernandez. She grew up in St Johns, MI, right down the road from her future husband Paul Reed. During the early years of their marriage, Emily and Paul lived at Higgins Lake in Roscommon, MI before moving to West Olive, MI in 1964 where they raised their two daughters, Lynne Reed and Valerie Schultz. Higgins Lake remained a special place to them, however, and provided summer after summer of family memories. Paul passed in 1988 after 30 years of marriage, but Emily continued to live in their home in West Olive until moving to Grand Rapids, MI in 2018.

Emily worked for the Grand Haven Public Schools for 32 years as a school bus driver and is remembered by many students for her caring and kind demeanor. This warmth extended into the community as Emily, resolute in her faith, was a member of St Anthony’s church in Grand Haven, MI for several decades.

Emily enjoyed spending time at her family cottage at Higgins Lake catching up with her siblings, extended family, and lifelong friends with nearby cottages. This was her favorite place in the world. In her early years, she got a thrill from riding her motorcycle in the summertime and snowmobile in the wintertime, but later in life she found solace in the peace of the place; watching the birds, taking walks down to the lake, and reading on her porch until offering an inviting hello to passersby. She was an avid reader. A fantastic cook too. Emily’s famous homemade baked beans, fried chicken, and pecan bars were always the highlight of gatherings with her family and friends. She was passionate about gardening and enjoyed canning produce from her garden.

Emily also loved an adventure; she would often recount stories of her travels to destinations such as Italy, Ireland, England, Hawaii, and the Bahamas. Ever the chic dresser, Emily would always return from these trips in style. She liked to shop and had a passion for collecting shoes. In the last decade of her life, Emily also became a sports fan of the University of Michigan, her grandson Greyson’s alma mater. She never missed a moment to cheer on Coach Harbaugh or Blake Corum all the way to the National Championship.

Even in her final days, Emily shared cherished stories from throughout her life – memories sneaking out to polka dances in the family car with her sisters, the antics of her old dog Rover, outlandish quotes from her grandchildren when they were little – it was clear that even simple moments provided her decades of joy. She was proud to be known as “Nana” amongst her grandchildren’s friends and will be remembered for the generosity and kindness she extended to all those around her. Her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and the pride she took in the family she built was impossible to miss.

Emily was preceded in death by her husband Paul Reed; parents Mary and Jesse Hernandez; in-laws Lloyd and Wilhemena Reed; siblings Fred (Dolores) Hernandez, Delia (Elias) Villa, Cleme (Jim) Corey, Sophie Donley; and sister in-law Nancy (Joe) Miller.

She is survived by her daughters Lynne Reed (Dennis Haugsby) and Valerie (Bill) Schultz; grandchildren Greyson Schultz (AnnMarie Chengazhacherril), Easton Schultz (Claire Burch), Hunter Haugsby, Hannah Haugsby (Shannon Frere) and Ashley (Dane) Erickson. She also leaves behind sister Bobby Sebastian, brother in-law Bruce Donley, sister in-law Kaye (Jerry) Schafer, as well as great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 205 E Washington St, Dewitt, MI, 48820 on Friday, November 22nd from 10:00 am to 12pm with service beginning at 12pm. Burial will be at the City of Dewitt Cemetery, 801 N Bridge St, DeWitt, MI 48820 immediately following the service. A luncheon will commence at approximately 1:15pm at Looking Glass Brewing Co. to celebrate Emily’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made in Emily’s memory to Saint Hubert’s Catholic Church (Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Parish) in Roscommon, MI at the following link: https://www.ollrcs.org/church/.