Clarice Josine (Baas) Westendorp died peacefully at home January 8, 2021, adding to the choir of Heaven a grace-filled woman, an alto singer, a piano player, and a fine poet. Her committal service was held at Lakeshore Memorial Services in Holland, Michigan on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Clare’s service can be viewed on Lakeshore’s website or Facebook page. Clare was born in 1932 to Jacob and Anna (Leguit) Baas, in Pease, Minnesota, and lived there until she started college. As a young girl she attended a one room school house, delivered there in her father’s sleigh in snowy winters. Her kindness stood out to classmates in grade school.
She began writing at a young age. Salutatorian of her graduating 8th grade class, Clare kept lifelong friends from her childhood. Clare graduated from Calvin College with a teaching degree in 1952. She then taught 3rd grade at Cutlerville Christian School. During college Clare met the love of her life, Floyd Westendorp. They married in 1954 and had four children. Floyd’s career as a physician took them to cities across the US. Clare and Floyd enjoyed travel around the world, with treasured visits to Japan, Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
Clare developed friendships wherever she lived, and contributed to her church and neighborhood communities. She provided ongoing support to her sister Shirley over the course of her life. She taught Vacation Bible School and English as a Second Language Classes to new immigrants. Clare volunteered at Community Action Center in Holland, Michigan, and served as President of Presbyterian Women at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, Michigan.
She was one of the first women to be ordained a deacon in the Christian Reformed Church. Writing poetry was one of her greatest joys. Clare was an accomplished storyteller. She found community by starting writing groups wherever she lived. Clare’s book of poetry, A Way With Words, was published in 2011, and her short essays appeared in local publications.
She sang in church choirs for 40 years and cherished singing in Calvin Oratorio Community Choir’s yearly performance of Handel’s Messiah. Clare loved to laugh, and was the hailed champion of many competitive card and Wii bowling games. She threw great parties.
Clare’s family, friends and those knew her will remember her with deep love. Unfailingly kind, thoughtful, and compassionate, she gave selflessly.
As “Gram,” she was a grandmother who spent hours making each grandchild feel special as she read to them, baked cookies, did creative projects, taught them games, and shared stories with them in letters and conversation. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren unconditionally, and was an extraordinary partner to her husband, Floyd, for 66 years.
Clare is survived by her husband Floyd, four children, David, Doug (Krista), Jayne (John Kooistra), and Jewell (Stephen Daney); 7 grandchildren, Jessica Ruiz-Westendorp (Rogelio), Jasper Westendorp (Gina), Jill Westendorp (Don), Aaron Westendorp, Alexandra Haan (Laura), Kiah Westendorp-Holland (Brad), and Britton Westendorp Holland; 6 great-grandchildren, and her sister, Shirley Baas. Clare was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Megan Elizabeth Haan and Chaia Alyssa Haan.
The family extends sincere gratitude to Clare’s compassionate and attentive caregiver Tonya Davies for 3 years of dedicated love and care and to Faith Hospice for their exceptional care during Clare’s last week of life. We feel blessed to have been in Clare’s life and will continue to honor her. Her ever-light spirit and enduring sweetness will live on in all of us.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Clare’s memory to Church of the Servant Outreach Program, Church of the Servant, 3835 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49545. A memorial service is planned for later this year.
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