Jean Brink

Jean Marie Brink, age 94, passed away July 13, 2021 at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo, MI. Jean was born August 4, 1926 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Audley & Edna (Dunn) Summerville. She started working at the Kalamazoo Gazette on co-op while attending Kalamazoo Central High School. After graduating, she worked full time at the Gazette. During her 40 years at the Gazette, 29 of those years she was the Administrative Assistant to Dan Ryan. Jean and her late husband Eugene were active members of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1962. Jean and Eugene were active participants in fund-raising for many years for the Michigan School for the Blind and the McKercher Workshop in the Kalamazoo area. As a younger woman Jean enjoyed softball, volleyball, tennis and bowling. In 2005 she was inducted into the Kalamazoo Area Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame. She is survived by two sons: Robert Brink (Deb Whiteman) and Kenneth (Jeanne) Brink; daughter-in-law Marcie Brink Chaney; five grandchildren: Justin Brink, Bethany (Aaron) Caccamo, Jon Brink, Jeffrey (Kristen) Brink and Katie (Dan) Simpson; great-grandchildren: Cosima Caccamo, Brady, Connor, Mallory, Addison and Sydney Brink, Andrew and Benjamin Simpson; special niece Rhonda (Gary) Krueger; and nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Eugene Brink on August 11, 2009; her son David Brink in 1996; and by five brothers and three sisters. In accordance with Jean's wishes cremation has taken place. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Brink family would like to thank special friends and caretakers Ethel Reno and Lori Hite; as well as the staff at Park Place Assisted Living. To those who wish, memorial contributions in Jean's memory may be made to Park Place Assisted Living or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Please visit Jean's personalized web page to sign her online guest book and leave a condolence or message for her family at: https://www.langelands.com