Marjo Reitsma
do I begin â?? Aunt Jo â?? even though she changed her name to Johanna years ago â?? because that was her baptized name – she will always be â??Aunt Joâ? to many of us â?? she was my fatherâ??s (Cor de Haan) youngest sister. My family immigrated to America from the Netherlands in October, 1953. Aunt Jo and her husband, Uncle Nick helped us in our move to America and took us in because they could not find anyone who wanted to rent an apartment to a family with four children â?? so we lived with them for a while â?? some of us housed in the attic â?? and Aunt Jo fed us and took care of us all. Aunt Jo and Uncle Nickâ??s church family welcomed our family and showered us with gifts â?? so we could set up an apartment eventually. My Dad found work thanks to my Uncle Nick. Through the years I always felt close to my Aunt Jo â?? Aunt Johanna. Aunt Jo had a huge heart â?? she also had a heartfor mentally challenged people â?? because her sister, Gerda, was a downs syndrome child â?? Aunt Gerda used to call my Aunt – Jo Jo (in Dutch â?? Yo Yo). They had a very special relationship together! Aunt Jo was always interested and cared about our family as we were all growing up. I cannot remember when â?? butAunt Jo was diagnosed with cancer â?? went through many treatments â?? and I was privileged to spend some time with her at those treatment centers. She bravely and courageously endured this difficult time in her life. Aunt Jo and Uncle Nick faithfully went swimming every day in New Jersey and Florida and that effected their great health and life longevity! Aunt Joâ??s son, Lee and wife, Judy, moved to Florida from New Jersey and Lee really wanted his parents to move to Florida too. Finally, they did move there and had some enjoyable and happy years there. I spent time with Aunt Jo â?? helping her pack 60 some boxes for the big move. After some time in Florida, Aunt Jo faithfully and lovingly took care of her husband, Nick, while he suffered from Alzheimerâ??s. It must not have been an easy time for her â?? but I believe that her strong faith in her Lord and Savior helped her through those difficult times! Aunt Jo was gifted in so many ways. She was a talented and gifted seamstress. She lovingly made her daughter-in-lawâ??s wedding gown and her grandsonâ??s wifeâ??s wedding gown. Aunt Jo made many wonderful knitted and crocheted afghans, baby toy animals, baby sweaters, booties, etc. We treasure a beautiful delft blue afghan that AuntJo made for us â?? and our Christmas Tree Skirt â?? and were so thankful that she made each of our grandchildren a toy animal â?? she even made one for our adopted grandson â?? shortly before her stroke. Aunt Jo had a wonderful ministry while in New Jersey and Florida â?? visiting elderly, shut ins, sick people and bringing them joy and love. She brought these people lots of delicious cookies and baked goods. Aunt Jo was so wonderful and very loving to my Dad who lost his beloved wife and my dear Mom to cancer at the age of 58 â?? she had my Dad over for dinner once a week for many years. My Aunt Jo was a great cook and baker! I always enjoyed talking to Aunt Jo while she lived in Florida. We talked several times a month â?? I really missed talking to her after her stroke last year. OK â?? Aunt Jo was not perfect. She was very opinionated â?? yes â?? she did like to tell people what to do and how to doit â?? but Aunt Jo had a HUGE heart â?? a real giving person â?? she lived her faith â?? she walked the walk â?? she didnâ??t justtalk it! She gave so much to so many people! Aunt Jo touched many lives. I am so very thankful to God â?? that I was able to spend time with Aunt Jo this past March â?? I prayed that God would spare her life so I could see her â?? and he answered my prayers â?? communication was difficult but between a pen and pad and creative sign language â?? Dutch words too â?? it went well. We had a beautiful time together