Mercedes Kimling

Mercedes Jacques Kimling, age 88, died December 24, 2016 in Traverse City, MI. Daughter of Emery and Florence Vaughan Jacques, was born in Marquette on Jan. 8, 1928, the eldest of four children.

Educated at MSU and Chicago's Mundelein College, she married James Kimling of Jackson, MI in 1948, and they raised five children. Since 1987 her West Bay home has been the site of joyful summer gatherings for her far-flung family.

She is survived by two daughters, Laura Straka of Denver CO; Jane (Reginald) French of Grand Rapids; two sons, Daniel (Jean) of Denver; James (Monika) of Boca Raton, FL; two sisters, Daphne Hodder of Chelsea; Yvonne Misailedes of Williamston. She enjoyed the love and company of eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved eldest daughter Catherine Adams, her daughter in law Linda Kimling, her son in law, Michael Adams, her father and mother, and brother Emery.

Mercedes will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, for her delight in the sight and sounds of beaches, of music and books. The answer to the question, "Where's the library?" was a compass point of her life. She agreed with Jose Borges' opinion that "I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library".

Mercedes was active in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and valued her activities and friendships in that community. She lived the last four winters in The Village at Bay Ridge where she met many wonderful friends and enjoyed playing show tunes for the sing- alongs.

Cremation has taken place.A Celebration of the her Life will be held 12:30 pm, Sunday, July 16, 2017 at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation. 6726 Center Road, Traverse City. Memorial contributions may be made to Old Mission Peninsula Community Library. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guest book and share your thoughts and memories with the family.