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Cleo D. Bright

Dec. 25, 1936 - July 5, 2021

Cleo Darlene (Selkirk) Bright, 84, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2021.

Cleo was born Christmas Day of 1936 in Traverse City, to Bernice (Hanna) and Charles F. Selkirk. She was one of five children and graduated from Traverse City High School in 1955. On April 24, 1955, Cleo married Fred Bright in Traverse City. They welcomed two children, Gregory and Vickie, and spent their lives together enjoying life in northern Michigan.

Cleo began her career in 1963 in TC High School’s principal’s office, eventually retiring from the Ida M. Tompkins Administration Building after 32 years of service.

Cleo was a sweet soul who loved fulfilling the roles of mom, grandma and great grandma. She was a skilled homemaker, baker and cook with a knack for teaching and nurturing children. Cleo and Fred traveled for many years, taking in beautiful sights out west and making many memories. She also enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday school at the Nazarene church, hand-painting ceramics and spending time with her family and dear friends.

Cleo is survived by her daughter, Vickie (Bright) Gibson; sister Pat (Burfiend) Bright; grandchildren Greg (Tiffany) Bright, Kim (Jason) Sipple, Jake (Harriette) Bright, Maxine (Nick) Fisher, Alyssa (Jacob) Kleidon and William Gibson; and great grandchildren Cameron (Kari), Caleb and Coby Sipple; Kelci, Madelyn and Tyson Bright; Cleona Bright; Ruby Kleidon; daughter-in-law Carol Bright; sister-in-law Kay (Selkirk) Helwick; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Cleo was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Fred; her son, Greg; her parents, Bernice and Charles; stepfather Herbert Burfiend; and her siblings Jack (Geri) Selkirk, Charlene Selkirk and William Selkirk.

Visitation for Cleo will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 10, 2021, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 1023 S. Division St., Traverse City. Lunch will follow. Burial services will be 2 p.m. at East Kasson Cemetery in Maple City. Please visit lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share memories of Cleo with the family.

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