© 2024 WEMU
Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
0000017d-4e0c-dda1-a7fd-4fde73920000

Washtenaw County Residents Attend Visitation For Former Congressman John Dingell

Hundreds of residents, politicians and community members in general gathered Monday in Dearborn for former Congressman John Dingell's visitation.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan attended and has the story.
 

Former Congressman John Dingell's closed casket sat in the center of theFord Community and Performing Arts Center's ballroom.  An American flag draped over it as Congresswoman Debbie Dingell greeted those who stood in line to say goodbye.  Among them was Ann Arbor resident Mary Hall-Thiam.  She told me about how the former congressman remembered her name after just introducing herself once to him years ago.

"It made me feel honored.  It made me feel like I needed to continue to have his memeory and to dedicate my life to helping others like he did," said Hall-Thiam.

Former Ypsilanti Mayor Amanda Edmonds also stood in line to pay her respects for the commitment the former congressman had for his communtiy both professionally and personally.

"He used to come to events at Growing Hope all the time.  He and Debbie actually hosted my wedding shower.  So I knew him in many ways over the years," said Edmonds.

While many tears were shed, smiles help brighten the day as those who attended the visitation spoke about the former congressman.  A public funeral mass will be held Tuesday, February 12th at 11 AM at the Church of the Divine Childin Dearborn.

Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support.  Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving.

Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu

Related Content