Sarah Elizabeth Gillespie of Grand Rapids, born August 13, 1958, died Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor. She was a graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle School and Catholic Central. Although Sarah was never married, her many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews were her children. Always keeping up with their activities, going to games, movies and of course mall shopping with them were favorite activities and of course she was looking forward to Caitlin’s wedding this fall.
Our family would like to thank the people of Lake Michigan Credit Union and her co-workers for being so good to her as she was going through her liver failure, transplant and most recent illness. Your support of her has meant so much and she so much loved her teddy bear that gave her comfort. We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses of the University of Michigan Hospitals for all their care of Sarah both when she had her transplant and her most recent illness. You tried valiantly to bring our Sarah back to us. She was preceded in death by her papa, Terry Gillespie; brother, Dan Gillespie; sister, Peggy Pittman and brother-in-law, Brian Flanagan. She is survived by her mother, Barbara Gillespie; sister, Kathleen Flanagan; brothers, Tom (Sigi) and Pat and Carol Gillespie; sister-in-law, Mary and Jerry Gillespie Smith; brother-in-law, Adell Pittman; nieces and nephews, Kim and Kevin Labadie, Brian and Amy, Terry and Julie and Mike Flanagan, Scott and Carrie and Patricia Gillespie, Mike and Ginger Buckley, Terry and Megan Gillespie, Jessica, Brittany and Amanda Pittman; grand nieces and nephews, Christopher Labadie, Caitlin (fiance Joe Passage) Labadie, Bradley, Conor, Adam and Ashlynn Flanagan, Aidan, Ethan and Kaylie Gillespie, Bradley Buckley and Bradyn Pittman; uncle, Tom Wilson; aunts, Mary Lou Howell and Shirley and Bob Hickey; many cousins who were like her brothers and sisters and all her very dear friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, July 23 at 10:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE, Rev. James Chelich, presiding. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life Foundation, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 or Catholic Charities West Michigan, 303 Division Ave. S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.