Glenna Dee Thayer

Glenna Dee (Darling) Thayer was born to Glenn (Red) Melvin Darling and Gula Eleanor (Hackenberg) Darling on 05/01/1942. She passed peacefully on 09/02/2025 surrounded by her immediate family.

Dee Dee (Lawton, Michigan), as she was known by many, was married to Earl Edward Thayer Jr. (Paw Paw, Michigan) on 10/01/1960 after a 3-year courtship. The courtship created quite a stir in those days, in both communities. This was during the time when Lawton and Paw Paw were at odds with one another; with the boys from each of the schools being overly protective of their local girls. As it turned out, this relationship became quite the local scandal and a term of regular gossip in both towns, but it served as one of many “olive branches” that eventually created solace and unity.

Once married, Dee Dee worked at a litany of jobs over her lifetime. She worked at the Maple City Dairy, the Watervliet Paper Factory in Paw Paw, Duo Tang, St. Julian Winery, the Van Buren Juvenille Court, and the Van Buren Friend of the Court.

She possessed the gifts of dance (courtesy of Mrs. Goddard, a former Radio City Dance Performer; training which she later shared with both of her daughters). She also possessed numerous talents and skills, from that of a designer and seamstress to cooking talents. She created wonders; to include paper Mache creations, the most beautiful paintings, fabulous photos, her own version of diaper babies / other baby shower creations, wonderous decorations for any occasion, etc. for her family, friends, and others. She was also called upon time and time again for her unique eye and skills when it came to decorating churches and venues for holidays and special occasions; making them into truly fabulous fantasies and unique experiences.

Having moved to a farm on CR 665 SW of Paw Paw, she also became quite the “Farm Girl” (although she was banned from ever driving the tractor again after 3 attempts). She worked the garden, worked the grapes, canned the bounty, and slaughtered / cleaned the chickens. Eventually over the course of time, with her heart for her family, she took classes and progressed into being quite a fabulous cook; to the point where she was requested to assist with regular caterings events.

She loved Disney and shared that love with her children; she also was intricately involved in getting her newly married sister and her husband to Disney World for their honeymoon. She was all about travel and adventures, day jaunts, spontaneous invites, and trips with her family and friends to places such as Ireland; Las Vegas; Walt Disney World; Clarksville, Tennessee; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Texas; California; Georgia; New Mexico; etc. (where what occurred there in many of these places is still considered “CLASSIFIED”).

She loved people and would interact with them, whether they wanted to or not – sometimes being perceived as a “The Stranger” (Laugh Out Loud). She would also be quite the Goof at times, often intentionally, to merely bring joy and laughter to individuals, in just about any place or situation. Adored by family and friends, to include those of her three children, she created amazing personal memories which will live on for decades in them.

Dee Dee was proceeded in her desire for the peace and the love of our Lord, by her Mom, her Dad, numerous Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, as well as Brothers and a Sister In-Law. She also lost many years ago the Love of her Life, Earl. Now, with the Almighty’s Grace, she is reunited and rejoicing with them all in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Dee Dee is survived by her sister Gerri (Tink) Ann (Darling) Jordan, her Son John Edward Thayer, (his sons, Cian Michael Byrne-Thayer, and Ciaran Patrick Byrne-Thayer); her eldest daughter Patricia (Pati) Ann (Thayer) Rowe, (her eldest son, Zachary John Thayer; her eldest daughter, Mallory Lauren Thayer-Barclay; youngest son, Caleb Benjamin Roe; and her youngest daughter, Emilee Ann Mariah Roe); and her youngest daughter Cathleen Anne (Thayer) McInnis; (her eldest daughter, Kyle Lyne DeeAnne Thayer, her son, Andrew Michael McInnis, and her youngest daughter, Danielle Lauren McInnis); a handful plus of Great Grandchildren, and numerous Relatives.

A Catholic Requiem Mass will be conducted on 04 October, 2025 at 10:00 AM, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Paw Paw, Michigan 49009. All that knew my Mom, know John, Pati, and/or Cathy are invited. Reception will follow thereafter. Private interment at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery will be conducted at a date and time to be determined by the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: the Alzheimer's Association, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, the American Brain Foundation, and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF).