Veronica N. Howard

Mrs. Veronica Mary Barbara Howard of Kalamazoo, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Kalamazoo, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Vera -- as she was affectionately known by all those who knew and loved her -- was born October 30, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY; the daughter of Thomas and Mary Norton. In 1945, she married Richard A. Howard. They celebrated 40 years of marriage shortly before his death in 1985. During their life together, they raised eight children, living in Brooklyn, NY; Alpena, MI; San Diego, CA, and finally settling in Battle Creek, MI in 1953. An enthusiastic, selfless community servant, Vera volunteered in the Altar Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in addition to her active role at the school. She was also recognized for her extensive service at Leila Auxilliary/ Mercy Pavillion Guild. In 2004, Vera moved to Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, where she quickly made friends and provided a welcoming, familiar face to new residents. She became a member of St. Augustine Cathedral, frequently attending mass and praying the Rosary with friends. Living in Kalamazoo enabled her to become a regular at Sunday dinners with family while enjoying the tight-knit relationships she already shared with her children and grandchildren. Vera was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Virginia; a son, Timothy; a brother, Joseph Norton, and daughter-in-law, Jan Howard. She is survived by her children Barbara (James) Gilbert of Kalamazoo; Richard A. Howard, Jr. of Pawleys Island, SC; Michael (Terry) Howard of The Villages, FL; John (Connie) Howard of Coldwater, MI; Matthew (Kathryn) Howard of Kalamazoo; Christopher (Kim) Howard of Evansville, IN; Stephen (Lori) Howard of Mattawan, MI; 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sisters Kathleen Pizzani of South Dennis, MA, and Helen Perrotta of Merrick, NY; and many nieces and nephews. No visitation is scheduled. There will be a gathering of friends and family Wednesday, January 30th, at 1 PM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, at 2 PM, Msgr. Thomas Martin is the celebrant. Internment will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 10AM; please arrive at Cortege Assembly area by 9:45. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation, 63 N 24th Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015, or Borgess Diabetes Center, 1521 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. WestnedgeAve., 269-343-6156 www.redmondfuneralhomes.net