Barbara L. "Barb" Hogan

Barbara Louise “Barb” Hogan of Merrill, Michigan

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Quincy Place Senior Living in Holland. She was 84 years old. Barbara Louise DeLaVergne was born on September 6, 1940, in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Randall G. and Irene B. (Cushway) DeLaVergne. She was a proud 1958 graduate of Arthur Hill High School. Following graduation, Barb attended the University of Michigan and later St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing where she received her credential to become a registered nurse. She met the love of her life, R. Dennis Hogan, on a blind date. During their courtship, Barb shared that she fell head over heels for Dennis after seeing him on his tractor, and they were united in marriage on August 14th, 1965, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Saginaw; he preceded her in death on May 15, 2024.

The most cherished role of Barb’s life was that of a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. The core of her existence was her commitment to her family. Barb was a longtime and faithful member of St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she’d volunteered countless hours alongside Dennis tending to the church garden as well as the youth Sunday School. She dedicated many years to the profession of nursing, passionate about giving superior care to all ages of patients from labor and delivery to internal medicine practice. Her quest for medical knowledge was insatiable and she was a great resource of care for loved ones. As a proponent of education, she and Dennis worked hard to save money for their children and grandchildren to attend college. A curious and voracious reader, Barb would often enjoy spending time in the library reading books that piqued her interest and participating in the local library book clubs. She was a gifted sewer, dedicating her time and talents tailoring and mending clothes and creating beautiful quilts for every member of her family. Barb was selfless, always putting other’s needs ahead of her own, and often showed her love by feeding and tending to family and friends at gatherings. She was an amazing baker, especially known for her homemade cinnamon buns, and “never met a cookie she didn’t like!” As a Master Gardener, Barb enjoyed the peace it brought to her life gardening at home, Merrill Elementary School, the church, and the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square. Barb was a lover of all animals but had a special place in her heart for the many family pet cats and dogs that she tended to through the years. She was an extraordinary soul whose intellect and profound wisdom will echo in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her. She will forever be remembered for her unconventional sense of humor that brought laughter to everyone’s life, for always saying “I LOVE babies!”, for being the best mom and grandma in the entire world, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many memories and stories.

Surviving are four children: Jennifer (Bob) Jarabeck of Hemlock; Dennis (Lija) Hogan of Saline; Katie (Tony) Brown of Alto; Paul (Stephanie) Hogan of Holland; 11 grandchildren: Alison (Cody) Bell, Lindsay Jarabeck, Easton Brown, Jamahl Hogan, Ryan Brown, McKenzy Hogan, Sidney Hogan, Abby Hogan, Liam Brown, Nathan Jarabeck, Finn Hogan; one great-grandson, Rory Bell; two sisters-in-law: Wanda Hogan of Auburn; Penny Hogan of Suttons Bay, one brother-in- law: Allan Reeves of Mason OH. Also surviving are many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, dear friends and her cherished cat she called “Kitty”.

Besides the loss of her adoring husband, Dennis, Barb was preceded in death by a beloved granddaughter, Keyan Hogan; two brothers-in-law: Pat Hogan and Jim Hogan; 2 sisters, Carol (Jim) Svetic and Bonnie Reeves.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Quincy Place Senior Living of Holland and Faith Hospice for the love, compassion and care they provided to Barb and her family.

A funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the W.L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Rd., Saginaw, MI 48609. Rev. Julie Bailey will officiate. Immediately following, The Michigan Tri-City Nurse Honor Guard will celebrate Barbara with a Nightingale Tribute. Private committal will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Merrill. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. (Noon) until the time of the service at 2:00pm. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Saginaw Humane Society, Rauchholz Memorial Library and Faith Hospice of Holland, MI. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.