Our family moved to Gladstone in the early 80’s. We asked Vini to care for our 4 children when I occasionally accompanied Roy on a business trip. During these stays she would always fix a double batch of her delicious Pasties so she could put one batch in the freezer for our return. This particular time she had a tray of Pasties cooling on a kitchen stool. And before she realized what had happened, our lab, Colder, had eaten all the Pasties on that tray! Vini sure laughed over that one. She was the best….wouldn’t have left our children with anyone else!
Sandi Droege
St. Michaels, MD
My condolences to all Vinie’s family and friends.
I met Vinie just once, but she changed my life. Her brother Jim was helping me look for my mother’s birth family, who, ironically, were also from Gladstone. Turned out Vinie had grown up with my real grandmother. I’ll never forget her greeting me in her driveway, telling me that I looked so much like my grandmother that Vinie “recognized” me right away.
As we sat around her kitchen table that afternoon, her humor & spirit made a lifelong impression. She gave my family and me such a huge gift. By telling me about my grandmother and her family, for the first time, I had an understanding of why I like to sail, work with wood, fish. In short, Vinie gave us all kinds of missing pieces that better explained who my family is. That gift will remain forever priceless to us.
Thank you, Vinie, for your generosity & largesse of spirit. You will NEVER be forgotten!
MJ (Mary Jane) Mendell
Austin, TX
Vinie’s daughter Margo was a good friend of mine. Margo adored her mother and had a very special relationship with her. They were both funny, kind, beautiful women. I loved being around them because they always made you smile. It was obvious where Margo got her sense of humor as soon as I met Vinie. I remember when she helped us move into our first college dorm room. As we were carrying a large box through the lounge area, she told the students we passed, “Margo killed her roommate and we’re hiding the evidence.” What a joy they both were.
Marcy Levine (maiden-Brower)
De Pere, MI
I never met Vinie but knew her through the hilarious stories heard through her grand-daughter Linda. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Allison Rhodes
Clover, SC
I moved into the Buckeye area with my three kids one week before the oldest, Michael, started kindergarten. Vinie was the highway crossing guard who took our children across the two highways back before there were stoplights located there. My youngest daughter, Christine, was bound and determined that she was going to school too. And after several attempts which were thwarted by Vinie, she got the message. I always thought that Vinie said something to encourage her not following as I’d tried everything short of tying her up…even not getting her dressed, thinking that would stop her! Bless Vinie for keeping our children safe. She’s probably up in heaven this minute taking care of the children, seeing the adults are fed and playing a hand of cards.
Frances Goetz
Gladstone, MI
My sympathy goes out to all the Sinclair family. My husband knew her from all the fun times in the “Buckeye” and the whole family was so well respected. My sincere thoughts are with you–it’s hard to loose such a wonderful mother.
Maryce Farrell
Rapid River, MI
I will always remember Mrs. Sinclair as a very kind, happy person. I never saw her any other way. She was good friends with my mom Cecil and I especially remember her receipe for “Moco Bars”!!! Boy were they good!! To this day when I make them I always think of “Vinie”. Peace and joy to your family!!
Sherri Sarasin
Gladstone, MI
While our thoughts are with the family at this sad time, we hope you are also celebrating the greatness of her life. What a legacy she has left behind! Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Our deepest sympathy to all.
Gary and Nancy Corte
Clinton Twp, MI
The world was a better place with Vinie in it. Now Heaven just got better.
Mary Ann, I am sorry for your loss and envious of your wondrous fortune to have had such a mother for such a lifetime.
Connie Williams Downing
Saginaw, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sinclair Family. The Buckland family has many memories that we have shared with your mom and family. She was one of a kind. Dave Rattray always enjoyed the strawberry, rhubarb pie she would make for him every summer when we were living next door. I know my kids, Kara and Steve have special memories too. When they would be eating supper at night, because we lived almost in each others backyard, she would entertain them by dancing in her window. She was a special lady and we will all miss her. The Buckland Family
Vicki Rattray
Gladstone, MI
To all my Sinclair cousins,
I send my love & sympathy to each & every one of you. Aunt Vinie will be missed so much! Her obituary says it all. It was always a good time at the Sinclair’s house. Lots of fun & even more laughs. Thanks for the great memories, Aunt Vinie.
Heaven just got even brighter. 🙂
Love~Cheryl
Cheryl Bernard
DeTour Village, MI
Oh my gosh, how could you just not love that little lady on 9th street! she brought so much joy and laughter to so many. I remember all the fun sleepovers I had at her house with Mary Ann. She has been such a good friend to my Mom for so many years. I know that my Mom could always count on her for a laugh when she needed one. Her spirit will always be with us and I’ll always smile when I think of her. What a great way to be remembered!
Regina Trotter Mahannah
Kalamazoo, MI
Vinie was a special lady to all who knew her. I remember many a fun card game at Aunt Janet’s! Sorry we will be unable to attend this celebration of her wonderful life as we will be out of town. We will keep all in our thoughts and prayers. Love,
Eric, Paula, and Megan Lundin
Rapid River, MI
To the children of Vinie Sinclair.
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Mother. She was such a sweet person. My mother is here in Grand Rapids with me so she will be unable to attend her funeral, for which she is very sad. All of you and your Mother are in our prayers.
Cherie Maskart Winchester
Grand Rapids, MI
Dear Sinclair family,
We were so sorry to hear from my sister, Marie, of Aunt Vinie’s passing. There are wonderful things in this electronic age and we were able to bring up a copy of today’s DAILY PRESS that gave us an equally wonderful obituary. She was a very special, unforgetable and happy lady, that we last saw in Michigan at the Casey 25th Wedding Anniversary party—and again when Vinie and Toots stayed at our home for my sister, Joan’s funeral (I had just arrived in Australia when Joan died and was unable to get back to Wisconsin in time for her funeral). Aunt Vinie lived a long and memorable life, filled with family, friends and relatives; she will always be in our hearts and prayers as we hope we continue to be in her heart with her special connection and presence with our Creator.
Love to all,
David & Joann LeMay
The Villages, FL
“Vinie” will always be remembered as the loving and caring mother of my best school mates and friends. All her children are special just as she was so very special in her life. She will be remembered always in my heart and prayers.
Carol Bracke-Majestic -Collegnon
Escanaba – Rapid River, MI
My heart goes out to my great grandma Vinie and all my family in Gladstone and beyond. I was so sorry to learn of her passing and that I will be unable to attend the funeral. I’ll never forget the woman who taught me how to play Polish Poker.
Kelly LeGault
Astoria, NY
To the family of Vinie Sinclair.
Her memory will live on forever. I knew her all my life, she always referred to me as Koko’s Daughter- Sassy. With a smile that could not be matched by anyone, it was genuine and sincere. May she rest in peace. She will always be loved by all of us that grew up in the Buckeye.
Anonymous
Our family moved to Gladstone in the early 80’s. We asked Vini to care for our 4 children when I occasionally accompanied Roy on a business trip. During these stays she would always fix a double batch of her delicious Pasties so she could put one batch in the freezer for our return. This particular time she had a tray of Pasties cooling on a kitchen stool. And before she realized what had happened, our lab, Colder, had eaten all the Pasties on that tray! Vini sure laughed over that one. She was the best….wouldn’t have left our children with anyone else!
Sandi Droege
St. Michaels, MD
My condolences to all Vinie’s family and friends.
I met Vinie just once, but she changed my life. Her brother Jim was helping me look for my mother’s birth family, who, ironically, were also from Gladstone. Turned out Vinie had grown up with my real grandmother. I’ll never forget her greeting me in her driveway, telling me that I looked so much like my grandmother that Vinie “recognized” me right away.
As we sat around her kitchen table that afternoon, her humor & spirit made a lifelong impression. She gave my family and me such a huge gift. By telling me about my grandmother and her family, for the first time, I had an understanding of why I like to sail, work with wood, fish. In short, Vinie gave us all kinds of missing pieces that better explained who my family is. That gift will remain forever priceless to us.
Thank you, Vinie, for your generosity & largesse of spirit. You will NEVER be forgotten!
MJ (Mary Jane) Mendell
Austin, TX
Vinie’s daughter Margo was a good friend of mine. Margo adored her mother and had a very special relationship with her. They were both funny, kind, beautiful women. I loved being around them because they always made you smile. It was obvious where Margo got her sense of humor as soon as I met Vinie. I remember when she helped us move into our first college dorm room. As we were carrying a large box through the lounge area, she told the students we passed, “Margo killed her roommate and we’re hiding the evidence.” What a joy they both were.
Marcy Levine (maiden-Brower)
De Pere, MI
I never met Vinie but knew her through the hilarious stories heard through her grand-daughter Linda. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Allison Rhodes
Clover, SC
I moved into the Buckeye area with my three kids one week before the oldest, Michael, started kindergarten. Vinie was the highway crossing guard who took our children across the two highways back before there were stoplights located there. My youngest daughter, Christine, was bound and determined that she was going to school too. And after several attempts which were thwarted by Vinie, she got the message. I always thought that Vinie said something to encourage her not following as I’d tried everything short of tying her up…even not getting her dressed, thinking that would stop her! Bless Vinie for keeping our children safe. She’s probably up in heaven this minute taking care of the children, seeing the adults are fed and playing a hand of cards.
Frances Goetz
Gladstone, MI
My sympathy goes out to all the Sinclair family. My husband knew her from all the fun times in the “Buckeye” and the whole family was so well respected. My sincere thoughts are with you–it’s hard to loose such a wonderful mother.
Maryce Farrell
Rapid River, MI
I will always remember Mrs. Sinclair as a very kind, happy person. I never saw her any other way. She was good friends with my mom Cecil and I especially remember her receipe for “Moco Bars”!!! Boy were they good!! To this day when I make them I always think of “Vinie”. Peace and joy to your family!!
Sherri Sarasin
Gladstone, MI
While our thoughts are with the family at this sad time, we hope you are also celebrating the greatness of her life. What a legacy she has left behind! Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Our deepest sympathy to all.
Gary and Nancy Corte
Clinton Twp, MI
The world was a better place with Vinie in it. Now Heaven just got better.
Mary Ann, I am sorry for your loss and envious of your wondrous fortune to have had such a mother for such a lifetime.
Connie Williams Downing
Saginaw, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sinclair Family. The Buckland family has many memories that we have shared with your mom and family. She was one of a kind. Dave Rattray always enjoyed the strawberry, rhubarb pie she would make for him every summer when we were living next door. I know my kids, Kara and Steve have special memories too. When they would be eating supper at night, because we lived almost in each others backyard, she would entertain them by dancing in her window. She was a special lady and we will all miss her. The Buckland Family
Vicki Rattray
Gladstone, MI
To all my Sinclair cousins,
I send my love & sympathy to each & every one of you. Aunt Vinie will be missed so much! Her obituary says it all. It was always a good time at the Sinclair’s house. Lots of fun & even more laughs. Thanks for the great memories, Aunt Vinie.
Heaven just got even brighter. 🙂
Love~Cheryl
Cheryl Bernard
DeTour Village, MI
Oh my gosh, how could you just not love that little lady on 9th street! she brought so much joy and laughter to so many. I remember all the fun sleepovers I had at her house with Mary Ann. She has been such a good friend to my Mom for so many years. I know that my Mom could always count on her for a laugh when she needed one. Her spirit will always be with us and I’ll always smile when I think of her. What a great way to be remembered!
Regina Trotter Mahannah
Kalamazoo, MI
Vinie was a special lady to all who knew her. I remember many a fun card game at Aunt Janet’s! Sorry we will be unable to attend this celebration of her wonderful life as we will be out of town. We will keep all in our thoughts and prayers. Love,
Eric, Paula, and Megan Lundin
Rapid River, MI
To the children of Vinie Sinclair.
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Mother. She was such a sweet person. My mother is here in Grand Rapids with me so she will be unable to attend her funeral, for which she is very sad. All of you and your Mother are in our prayers.
Cherie Maskart Winchester
Grand Rapids, MI
Dear Sinclair family,
We were so sorry to hear from my sister, Marie, of Aunt Vinie’s passing. There are wonderful things in this electronic age and we were able to bring up a copy of today’s DAILY PRESS that gave us an equally wonderful obituary. She was a very special, unforgetable and happy lady, that we last saw in Michigan at the Casey 25th Wedding Anniversary party—and again when Vinie and Toots stayed at our home for my sister, Joan’s funeral (I had just arrived in Australia when Joan died and was unable to get back to Wisconsin in time for her funeral). Aunt Vinie lived a long and memorable life, filled with family, friends and relatives; she will always be in our hearts and prayers as we hope we continue to be in her heart with her special connection and presence with our Creator.
Love to all,
David & Joann LeMay
The Villages, FL
“Vinie” will always be remembered as the loving and caring mother of my best school mates and friends. All her children are special just as she was so very special in her life. She will be remembered always in my heart and prayers.
Carol Bracke-Majestic -Collegnon
Escanaba – Rapid River, MI
My heart goes out to my great grandma Vinie and all my family in Gladstone and beyond. I was so sorry to learn of her passing and that I will be unable to attend the funeral. I’ll never forget the woman who taught me how to play Polish Poker.
Kelly LeGault
Astoria, NY
To the family of Vinie Sinclair.
Her memory will live on forever. I knew her all my life, she always referred to me as Koko’s Daughter- Sassy. With a smile that could not be matched by anyone, it was genuine and sincere. May she rest in peace. She will always be loved by all of us that grew up in the Buckeye.
God Bless you all
Jackie LaFond – Mott
Orange Park, FL