HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Jeanette Ramos Schipper, a candidate for Michigan’s 30th District State Senate seat, and the administrative assistant in Western Theological Seminary’s admissions office, died unexpectedly Thursday, June 20, 2019, according to seminary officials.
In a tweet Friday afternoon, Western Theological Seminary announced her death, stating, the “WTS community is grieving the loss of Jeanette Schipper, Admissions Administrative Assistant, who passed away suddenly last night. Our hearts are broken and go out to her husband Matt and their children. Please lift up Jeanette’s family and community in prayer at this time.”
On Sunday afternoon, the Facebook page for last year’s campaign was updated with a message announcing her death, a statement which read, in part, “Jeanette was nothing if not a fighter for the rights of those with mental illness. She was an advocate and a voice for those who had none. We were stronger when she was with us and are leaning on the strength that she inspired in us right now. In the end, we may all still be stronger just for having known her. She will be missed deeply … please let’s continue the fight for mental healthcare and healthcare for all. Peace.”
She ran as a Democrat in last year’s race for the state senate seat vacated by the term-limited Arlen Meekhof.
Republican Roger Victory won that race, with 63.279,323 votes; she earned 34.242,904 votes, followed by Libertarian candidate Mary Buzuma’s 2.53,189 votes.
The night of her loss, she tweeted a photo of herself and a few close friends, writing, “My team worked extremely hard on my campaign. We didn’t win, but I’m very proud of what we accomplished. Love to each of you near and far that supported and encouraged my campaign. You give me hope!!”
In an interview with Holland photographer and writer Ketzi Chacon, Schipper talked about surviving a childhood with a mentally ill mom — a relationship that broke down but Schipper eventually repaired, becoming an advocate for her mother — as well as surviving domestic violence, and the healing effects of her studies at WTS. Ensuring access to mental health services became one aspect of her campaign.
In a comment pinned to the top of her campaign’s Facebook page, Schipper wrote, “I believe what brings us together is stronger than what divides us, let us Unite our Voices and Unite our Votes to Lead Michigan Forward to a better tomorrow.”
Elsewhere on her campaign page, she listed her favorite quote as one from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
“It takes a very unique kind of passion, personality and commitment to run for elected office. Jeanette was dedicated to sharing her own story and bringing her own experience, expertise and energy to impact progressive change in our community,” said Shannon M. Garrett, attorney, founder and CEO of the political consultancy SMG Strategies; partner at Civicize.Me, a civics-training program for adults; and co-founder of VoteRunLead, a national organization that trains women across the political spectrum to run for office. “Even in what some would consider a long-shot race for state senate, Jeanette brought her whole self to the work, changed the conversation and continued to work hard after Election Day.”
Ottawa County Commissioner Doug Zylstra, former chairman of the county’s Democratic Party, and a friend of Schipper’s, called her “one of the warmest, most human people I know, someone who carried positive change and outlook to so many in our community. She will be missed deeply.”
She is survived by her husband, Matthew Schipper and three children: daughters Marcella and Liliana, and son Austin. A fundraiser for Schippers by family friend Matthew Scholten described her as “loved by all who knew her. Jeanette was always positive and always put her family first. Although Jeanette was a survivor, her death was sudden and unexpected.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
