Lisbeth (Lilly) Lipke

Lisbeth Mai (Lilly) Lipke died on October 25, 2007. She was born on September 26, 1961 in Park Ridge, Illinois. From there, Lilly moved to and lived in California, Michigan, Sweden and Montreal then came back to Grand Rapids, MI where she spent the rest of her life. Extraordinarily gifted, Lilly expressed her self in many ways - through dance, painting, writing, humor and drawing with pastels which she exhibited and sold at Shining Through Art Exhibits. She appreciated and created beauty wherever she was, especially in her home, her garden and in the way she dressed. Nature was her sanctuary. She loved hiking, camping and swimming in Lake Michigan. She also loved and found solace in music, poetry, art, color and being with her beloved friends. Lilly received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College and was a trained Pilates Instructor. Although she never attained her goal of earning a PhD in Theology, her life experience brought her a breadth and depth of knowledge and compassion which far exceeded the confines of any academic program. Lilly was a passionate advocate for the rights of mental health consumers and opened her heart freely to those who were marginalized by society. Lil is survived by her mother, Lee Ann Kinnee and her step father, Arlie Kinnee of Lansing, MI; her sisters, Kerstin Ann Lipke of Burlington, VT and Tanya Lipke of Vancouver, British Columbia; and her niece, Hannah Lisbeth Lipke of Tucson, AZ. She was predeceased by her father, Daniel P. Lipke and her brother, John William Lipke. She also leaves her extended family: C. Jean Witherill and her children, Mike and Anne; Bill Lipke and his children, Megan and Daniel and their mother, Catherine Hall; Molly and Mike Landi and their children, Mike and Chris; James and Katherine Lipke and their daughters, Gretchen, Martha and Ann. She is also survived by step relatives: The Kinnee children; Ray, Dianne, Susan and Kathleen; David Pushaw; Kathryn Vigessa and her daughter, Shannon; and Svetlana Elnitsky and her son, Serge. Lilly leaves many friends who loved her and whom she loved dearly and considered family. We thank all of you, especially those who were so present with Lilly this past year and month. You know who you are and no words can adequately convey our gratitude for your kindness and love. Lilly was an incomparable, endearing and courageous human being. Grand Rapids won't be the same with out her in it! A gathering in celebration of her life and our love for her will be held on Sunday, November 4th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Porter Room at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park at 1000 East Beltline NE in Grand Rapids, MI. Please bring images and words to share of your remembrances of Lilly. Musical instruments and songs are also welcome. ARSULOWICZ BROTHERS, WEST MORTUARY www.arsulowiczbrothers.com