Margot (Judy) Jean Rogers, 93, of Whitehall, Michigan, passed away Monday,
September 18, 2023. She was born September 15, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, the
daughter of William and Margaret (Peggy) McDowell Van Deventer. Judy was a
kind, gracious, and forever youthful woman with a great sense of humor, and she
will be greatly missed.

Judy married William E Rogers on August 23, 1952. They spent 41 years together
and raised their two children in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Judy grew up spending summers at Sylvan Beach, swimming in Lake Michigan, sailing on White Lake, and spending lots of time on the beach with her dear friends. She was proud that she never missed a summer in 93 years. Her family also spent time in Tubac, Arizona, at Kenyon Guest Ranch where the family had built a house in the 1930s. Starting about age six, Judy was riding horses, swimming, and eating good food in the mess hall. She passed the love of both places onto her children.

Judy graduated from Denison University in 1952 and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She obtained her Master's Degree in Education at Western Michigan. She was a lifelong learner and educator working for Grand Rapids Public Schools. She taught high schoolers "Introduction to Aviation" and "Death and Dying" classes at the Grand Rapids Junior College along with other various Adult Education classes for over 25 years. She was a private pilot, taught ground school, held a sailplane license, was a proud member of the 99's, an all-women's flying club during the 1960s and 70s, and also participated in some airplane races. She was a constant volunteer for the Grand Rapids Y's men's White Elephant Sale and the Santa Claus Girls gift program. She was a member of Fountain Street Church and went on many church sponsored travel tours around the world. She enjoyed gardening, birding, poetry/reading, fishing, golf, tea parties with hats, sharing costumes from her mother's attic collection, and dressing up for Halloween. She always had a little jingle to chant during a conversation if it fit in like "Good, Better, Best - never let it rest - until your good is better and your better is your best".

In retirement Judy lived on Sylvan Beach in her family's 4th generation home continuing her love of swimming in the big lake, having coffee ready every morning at 8:00 for friends who stopped to visit out on her deck. She was a regular volunteer at the Arts Council of White Lake's White River Gallery and Nuveen Center for the Arts in Montague (now in Whitehall) and faithfully attended Rotary. She wintered in Tubac, Arizona, taking many art classes, and was an active member of the Rotary Club where she often gave the "inspiration of the day." Her love of dogs had her supporting the Santa Cruz Humane Society in Nogales, Arizona.

Judy is survived by: her children, Greg (Kathy) Rogers and Wendy (Casey) Buitenhuis; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two nieces; one nephew; three grandnieces; two grand nephews; bonus son, Rick Ewald; and many who loved her.

Judy was preceded in death by: her husband, Bill; sisters, Barb Wagoner and Nancy Lilly; and her niece, Kristie Fugere.

In accordance with Judy's wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held next summer at Sylvan Beach on July 13, 2024.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Cruz Humane Society in Nogales, Arizona, Tubac Rotary Club in Tubac, Arizona, or the Arts Council of White Lake at the Nuveen Center in Whitehall, Michigan.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements

www.beacon.com