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Alice J. Mastin

February 10, 2023
Kalamazoo, MI

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Mastin, Alice J. Kalamazoo, MI Alice Jane Cox Mastin, age 88, died peacefully early Friday morning, February 10, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born in Cleveland, OH on June 27, 1934, the daughter and only child of Helen (Middlehurst) and Forrest Dale Cox. Alice grew up in Hinsdale, IL, graduating from Hinsdale Central High School. She attended Carleton College for two years and completed her BA in English at the University of Iowa. She then attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City, graduating with a Masters in Religious Education. While at Union, she met and married Chalmer "Cal" Mastin, her beloved husband of 64 years. Being a pastor's wife brought her first to Pontiac, MI and then to Kalamazoo, where she made many of her closest friends at First Baptist Church. She served in several leadership roles at FBC, including Chair of the Board of Trustees, Head Usher, as a member of the Flower Guild, and as a camp counselor for the FBC Youth Camp. She was active in the Kalamazoo community and in her children's activities, serving on the board of the Kalamazoo Figure Skating Club, leading a Girl Scout troop, and helping to raise money for high school sports. In addition, Alice had a passion for gardening, especially her flowers. She was a talented seamstress, making most of her own clothing, outfits for her family and beautiful knit sweaters. She loved spending time at Lake Michigan and was an avid reader. She cooked meals from scratch throughout her life, and late in life spent many hours solving crossword puzzles. She loved music, especially church hymns, camp songs, folk music, and Broadway musicals, often singing along with Cal. Alice had a lifelong interest in Great Britain, the country from which her grandparents emigrated. Alice and Cal enjoyed walking daily, traveling to visit family as far away as Thailand and Ireland, attending college reunions, and keeping in touch with many lifelong friends. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who cherished her family. Alice particularly enjoyed sharing her love of reading with her children and grandchildren. Alice was preceded in death by her granddaughter Caroline Elzer in 2004. She is survived by her husband Cal, her two daughters, Becky (Mark) VanderMyde and Martha (Brian) Elzer and her son, Andy (Som) Mastin and her grandchildren, Ellen VanderMyde (Peter Cook), Michael and Kathryn VanderMyde, and Monica and Jessica Mastin. There will be a Memorial Celebration at First Baptist Church, 315 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo 49007 at 1:00pm on Sunday, February 19. A light luncheon is planned for 11:30am following the morning worship service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church. A private interment for the family will be held at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery, Kalamazoo. To view Alice's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com