Tina Louise Halsey Ferree, 52, of Portage, MI, sadly, lost her long battle with cancer on January 12th, 2023. Cared for till the end by the amazing hands at Centrica Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo, their facility allowed her to depart peacefully with a smile on her face, surrounded by her loved ones.
Tina was born at Community Hospital in Battle Creek to a very happy Eleanor Louise Walley, Joseph Romanchuk, and big sister Victoria Ann Cable on July 29th 1970. She was a beautiful, bouncing baby girl who brought those around her much joy.
Tina Louise Walley attended Battle Creek Central High School and graduated in the class of 1988, but not before receiving her honor roll certificate in the year of 1986. On her certificate, it states, “we have confidence your future will be equally successful,” and little did they realize at the time how true these words were.
Tina Halsey-Ferree went on to find her place in the world, working diligently through the ranks, and making special bonds of friendship along the way. On August 13, 2001 she starting working for National City, now known as PNC—this is where she would make the most of herself as a valued employee serving as a customer service representative in several lines of business. She worked hard, challenged herself, and grew within the company and with the family she made there. After working 21 ½ years, she became a well-loved, and well-respected person amongst her peers. Many of her co-workers looked up to her for many reasons: her infectious personality was one to admire and cherish, her ability to make people feel celebrated, and appreciated by playing fun pranks, or decorating their workspace for a special occasion. Throughout her career, Tina was recognized as a PNC Marked All Star and Circle of Excellence award recipient, some of the top awards an employee could be presented with—due to her unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences, strong work ethic, and relentless efforts to be the best that she could be, not just for herself, but her family as well.
Tina is remembered by those who knew her as a selfless, driven, funny, and incredibly strong woman who knew how to be a friend. She would hold your hand in moments of need without judgement, and she would talk to you for hours about your troubles. She was filled with wisdom beyond her years, and she loved to help those in need. When Tina walked into a room, you couldn’t help but stare—she walked with such elegance. The presence she carried would make you want to be around her: it was wholesome and pure. Her laugh was infectious and could be heard for miles, and you couldn’t help but join in on her shenanigans. Most importantly, her smile would lighten any room like a bright burning candle. You would often catch yourself smiling along with her. She made it her personal goal in life to uplift those around her with kindness and love. For such a special person, she was often surrounded by special people like Moths drawn to the brightest light.
Tina enjoyed many things, with so many friends and family there was never a dull day! She loved sports!!! She had more football memorabilia then she ever thought she would, and although many of us were not BIG fans of her team choices, she supported the teams her son loved. They could both be found enjoying football inside and outside of the stadium lights. Both she and her son also took part in their friends’ sports events—from hockey, swimming, and soccer. Whatever the sport, Tina and Brock could be found on the sidelines cheering for their favorite people with their homemade T-shirts and posters. On a day off, you would find Tina planning for a shopping trip at Tanger Outlets or taking her family on a special adventure. Although her illness wouldn’t allow her to jump on a rollercoaster and scream like a banshee at Michigan’s Adventure, it made her heart smile to be able to walk around and listen to her children doing it for her. A road trip to Saugatuck to take a ride on the dunes, singing every oldies song on the way there and stuffing her face with the best cupcakes, a memorable weekend in Frankenmuth with her mother and son watching fireworks, a trip to John Ball Zoo with her grand baby, showing her all the animals. Making funny faces, and of course noises. Being able to share these moments with her loved ones, regardless of the limitations, she planned them all with her head held high making each trip a “Carpe Diem” seizing each day.
Tina also indulged herself in her hobbies. On September 30, 2020, she became a consultant for L’BRI products, and let me tell you, she had a healthy addiction to it. It brought her so much joy to be a part of such a special company, she had a blast doing lives on Facebook for her friends and family. Despite the struggles her cancer was giving her, it made her feel better about herself. It gave her confidence to rise above her struggles and image and be a voice for those going through similar situations.
We will remember Tina in the amazing moments we got to share with her. She was over the moon for her best friend, and the day they married was one we will always remember, whether it was the dress, how nervous her groom was, the music choices, or the ALMOST burning down the church before the ceremony part. Whatever part you remember is a great memory that will always bring a smile to our faces when we stop and think of her. Cliff gave her so much to be thankful for, and the love they had for each other is what you read about in a fairytale.
The birth of their son was a day that went down in history, not just for the city of Kalamazoo, but for everyone involved. After years of trying for children, our family was finally completed with miraculous arrival of Brock Ferree. He came into our lives at a moment’s notice, and has blessed those around him since. Tina didn’t know if she really wanted to be a mommy growing up, but time would let her know she was MEANT to be our mom.
Tina is survived by her mother Eleanor Rop (87); her daughter Brittany Halsey (29) son-in-law Shawn Guess (36); her son Brock Ferree (13); her grand baby Zoey Shepard (4); Cody Shepard; Shannon Underwood, Denise Dobos-Mann, Luann ‘Palmer’ Dobos, Jennifer Blowers, Melissa Toyoshima, Richie Cooper and Christy Cooper, Robert Ferree and Kristie, and their 2 amazing girls, Robin Halsey, Zachary Halsey, Daniel Halsey. With such a large extensive family, not all family members can be named. Special friends: Betty Bianco and their amazing family, Amber Duncan, Betsy Frost Hunt, Brianna Bickings and family, Gina Jackson-Martin, Katrina Mueller-Dykgraaf, Kris.W Schumacher, Larry Lambert, Michelle Vincent, Missy Saline-Tyler, Pennyss Saline, Renee Daniels, Rich Grant, Ruth Hodgman Polmanteer, Traci McNett-O’Neill, Tracey St.Clair, and so many more you all meant so much to her, she valued each and every last friendship she had, with love from her family to you, thank you for being apart of her life, and giving her so much.
Tina Halsey-Ferree was not the 1st to go—she now walks with those who passed before her: Clifford Allen Ferree (forever her loving husband); Cheryl Ferree (mother in-law); Victoria Ann Cooper (sister); Joseph Romanchuk (father); Robert and Ginny Outman (grandparents-in-law).
A celebration of Tina’s life will be held at a later date.
For those wishing to share a memory of Tina or leave a condolence for the family, visit https://www.langelands.com
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