Paula Rae (Chess) Vanderstow

      Paula Rae Chess Vanderstow, age 93, of St. Johns, MI, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Grace Haven Assisted Living, St. Johns, Michigan.

      Paula was born in Lake City, Michigan on February 2, 1929, the daughter of Thomas R. and Blanche E. (Smith) Chess.  Paula Rae Chess married Harry A. Vanderstow, Jr. on November 23, 1945, when he returned from Europe at the end of World War II.  He was nineteen and she was just sixteen years old.  Paula has left this earthly life to be laid next to Harry, their son Brian, and Brian’s son Chad, whom they had adopted, in Sowle Cemetery in Essex Twp.  Also gone before are her parents, sisters: Ina and Mary Frances; brothers: Berne, Thomas, and Josiah; and parents-in-law, Harry Sr. and Bregje (Debree) Vanderstow.

     She is survived by her remaining sibling James Chess of Florida; her children: Peggy, Catherine, Bruce, Diane, Douglas, Francine, Bradley, Jeffrey, Gretchen, and Brian’s son, Jeremy, who was adopted by Paula and Harry.   She also leaves twenty grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren.

     The family wishes to thank Grace Haven caregivers and Angela from CorsoCare Hospice for their care of Mom.

     Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI on Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 12-2 P.M.  A private family burial will follow at Sowle Cemetery, Essex Township, Michigan. 

      In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Corso Care Hospice, 950 Corporate Office Drive, Suite 150, Milford, Michigan 48381; or you can make a donation to a charity of your choice in Paula’s name.  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.