Janice Marie MacKay

Janice Marie MacKay, age 79, of Byron, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Hurley Medical Center with her family by her side. A funeral service will take place 1:00 PM, Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden. Heath Whitehead will preside with interment following in Byron Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 23, 2023, and again from 12:00 PM until the time of service on Sunday. 

Janice was born December 21, 1943 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Duane J Potter and Eloise (Ford) Potter. She met the love of her life at a civil rights rally at Western Michigan University on September 24, 1963. Janice became Mrs. Charles MacKay, a title she wore proudly on May 4, 1964 spending 60 years together. She enjoyed making quilts for the people she loved. Jan was a talented seamstress. She could sew everything from prom and wedding dresses for her daughters and costumes for her grandchildren to fixing dance costumes at the last minute. Jan was kind, loving, non-judgmental and easy to talk to. She was loved by everyone who knew her, and she loved them just as much. Jan was a wonderful mom and Grandma/Nana loving her family and caring for them before herself.

Left to cherish her memory, husband, Charles MacKay; sons, Andy (Julie) MacKay, Tad (Joni) MacKay, Michael MacKay; daughters, Denise (Doug) Badgero, Barbara (David) Hubbard, Lora (Doug Ringler) MacKay, Sydnee (Heath) Whitehead, Sharon (Patrick) Fort, Jacey McDowell, Silena MacKay; 28 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Cheryl Staszczak, Susan Johns, Gail potter; sister in law, Janet (John) Rourke; Brother in law, Dale MacKay; and many nieces and nephews.

Because of her love of children, and the incredible care she and her family received from every staff member they encountered at Hurley Medical Center, in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hurley Children’s Miracle Network. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com