Catherine Neely McNabb

On June 13, 2018, in Holland, Michigan, Catherine (Cassie) Nell Verschoor Neely McNabb followed her beloved parents, many dear life-long true friends, and her loving husbands Ralph Neely and Bill McNabb, into Heaven. She was the last survivor from the Birthday Club, a group of loyal friends who shared their lives, loves, adventures, and sorrows for over sixty-five years. She was ninety-two years old. Cassie was born in the Roaring Twenties. She lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and everything since.

She graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School and the University of Michigan. Cassie said “You never know what may be around the next corner.” She published a book entitled “Around the Next Corner” and her life exemplified that idea. She lived, raised her family, and worked in Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Ann Arbor, Seattle, Sun Valley, and Holland. She was a prolific writer, a world-class typist, a B&B entrepreneur, an amazingly talented artisan, limerick expert, animal lover, collector, butterfly enthusiast, and much more. She welcomed all into her home, and always found room for more at her table.

Her children survive her: Thomas (Cynthia) Neely of Grand Rapids, Joseph (Linda) Neely of Ann Arbor, and Amy (Brian) Wisner of Grand Haven. Cassie has six grandchildren: Sam (Laurie) Neely of Bryant, Arkansas, Maren (Mac) Dobson of Ann Arbor, Clare (Bob) Agra of Chicago, Tom Neely of Los Angeles, Hank Wisner of Detroit, and Meryl (Brooke) Wilsner of Grand Rapids. Cassie has five great-grandchildren, eight step-children in Seattle, at least a dozen step-grandchildren in Ann Arbor and Seattle, and a number of step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her God-Daughter Barbara Stuart (Sally Klokkert) of Meyers Lake.

Cassie’s family plans a Celebration Service on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 11:00 am, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Rev. Pete Thuene officiating . Please wear bright and happy colors to the celebration. Cassie would have treasured contributions to the Humane Society, or to any church that feeds children and does not discriminate against women, or to any public library.

We all love a lady named Cassie.

To the end, she was loving and classy.

She put up with toil.

She was smart; she was loyal…

How we’ll all miss this beautiful lassie.

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