Joanne "Jody" Vanderveen

Joanne ""Jody"" Vanderveen, 75, of Port Charlotte, formerly of Montague, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on June 24, 2021, following an eight-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jody was born on August 7, 1945 in Fort Lewis, Washington to her parents, Lawrence and Viola Ringenberg. She was a graduate of the University of Illinois with a master's degree from Michigan State University. Jody had a passion for enjoying the beautiful outdoors such as walking on the beach, golfing, biking and she loved to garden. Most of all, Jody loved spending time with and laughing with her 10 grandchildren. Jody spent most of her working career in and around Michigan government. She spent 25 years working in the Michigan Senate. After retiring, she turned to lobbying, where she spent the last 12 years of her career. She retired for a second time from the Dykema Gossett Law Firm. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lawrence Ringenberg Jr. Jody is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Terry Vanderveen of Port Charlotte, FL; son, Jason (Melissa) Phipps of Milton, GA; step-sons, Ben (Katie) Vanderveen of Ada, MI, Jon (Natasa) Vanderveen of Braselton, GA and Sam (Megan) Vanderveen of East Lansing, MI; brothers, Richard (Lynn) Ringenberg of Washington, D.C., John (Jean ""Shelly"") Ringenberg of Monroeville, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent in Jody's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) www.pancan.org or to your local food bank. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00PM-6:00PM on July 8, 2021 Riverwood Golf Club in the club house. Funeral arrangements by Farley Funeral Home, North Port, Florida. Service Information Date: Thursday, July 8, 2021 Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Riverwood Golf Club Address: 4100 Riverwood Dr Port Charlotte, FL 33953 (941) 764-6661 | Map