Brenda Joyce (Ambs) Coffey, 72, of Lawton MI passed away at home on May 17, 2019 surrounded by her kids, grandkids and brother. Brenda was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on February 24, 1947 to Richard and Donna Ambs. Shortly after the birth of Brenda’s sister Cheri two years later, Donna packed up her girls and left Richard to pursue a better, and safer, life for them.
She then met and married Larry Ottney who would then be forever known as Dad to Brenda. He was a strong and loving man who raised Brenda as his own and shaped her into the wonderful and caring person that she was. In 1964 when Brenda was 17 years old, Donna and Larry added brother Scott to the family.
Brenda took Scott everywhere with her and spent so much time with her little brother that many people believed he was her baby! Brenda moved out of the family home in 1965 upon graduating high school to attend Western Michigan University. Brenda and her mother had a tumultuous relationship at times and had little contact that first semester of college, therefore creating the fiercely strong and independent woman that we all knew and loved.
In 1966, Brenda met and fell in love with Don Hart. They married in 1967 and welcomed daughter Kelly Jo in 1969. Sadly, the marriage did not last, but the two remained very close friends through the years.
In 1975, Brenda married her second husband, Jack Coffey. Daughter Christina (Tina) Lynn was born to the couple in April 1976. Brenda and Jack were married for 9 years before divorcing in 1984.
Brenda has said before that even though she had two marriages that ended in divorce she wouldn’t have changed anything at all. Brenda was a very hard worker and took pride in any job she had. She had various jobs when she was younger, but for most of her adult life she worked at Welch’s.
She was there for 25 years before having to retire in 2004 due to diabetes complications. She lost most of her sight and had been legally blind since 2003. The two greatest joys of Brenda’s life were her grandkids, Brandon and Lauren.
She had a love for them that was beyond measure. Her main goal in life was to ensure their happiness and safety. Every kid should be so lucky as to have a grandmother like Brenda.
Brenda is survived by daughters Kelly Hart and Tina (Joe) Singleton, grandkids Brandon Singleton and Lauren (Logan McFadden) Singleton, brother Scott Ottney, aunt Irene Peterson and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Also surviving her are three very loving and loyal companions, her dog Samantha Jane, her grand-dog Sasha Marie and her great grand-dog Sadie Dallas. She loved those dogs just as much as any people in her life.
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