Obituary for Ann L. (Lakin) Slowins

Ann L. Slowins was born in Lansing, Ingham County, MI, October 22, 1932, the daughter of Elon D. & Marian (Pryer) Lakin; she passed away March 8, 2018, in Grand Rapids, MI due to head injury from a fall. She graduated from Portland High School in 1950, and Ferris Institute (now Ferris State University) in 1954; was married after graduation, to Grayden D. Slowins. They have four children: Joseph G. Slowins (Jody) of Ann Arbor, MI; Karen K. Laurel of Daytona Beach, FL, mother of their only grandchild, Philip Pappas, of Florida; Daniel F. Slowins (Peg) of Walled Lake, MI; and Kirsten B. Slowins (Clint Galloway) of Ionia, MI. Ann began playing piano at the age of 5, later served as lead organist at Sebewa Center United Methodist Church, Ionia First Methodist Church, Ionia First Presbyterian Church, Portland Congregational Church, and Clark Retirement Community Chapel, She was guest organist, often for weddings or funerals, at 27 churches, including some in Grand Rapids, Lansing and many other towns in central Michigan, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia and the tiny cobblestone Shepherds’ Chapel in the sheep pastures of New Zealand. She was an accomplished pianist and accompanied students for competitions and recitals. Ann was a Pharmacist in Ionia, Portland, Hastings, and Nashville, MI, a shepherd’s assistant, deputy clerk and assistant sexton of Sebewa Township. She played recorder in Namenlos Early Music Consort; was a painter, photographer, weaver, crocheter; a voracious reader, and she researched genealogy. They traveled in America, Canada, England, Holland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Australia. They spent the one winter in Deming, NM, six winters in Starke, FL; retired to Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. Memorial Services will be held at Clark Chapel, on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Rebecca Jordan-Heys officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service and a for a receptions after the service. Burial of Ann’s ashes will be at a later date in West Sebewa Cemetery. For those wishing memorial contributions may be made to the Clark Retirement Community Foundation- Music Therapy and Benevolent Care in memory of Ann.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.