On January 22, 2023, Jean Evelyn Postma passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Jean was born August 27, 1931 to Thomas Mellon and Frances Glenn Smail and grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area. She was married to her husband, Andrew Donald Postma for 66 years. Don passed away in November 2020.
Jean met Don at the University of Michigan in 1949. She was a sophomore when they met in speech class, which Don was substitute teaching. They became “pinned” (“engaged to be engaged”) in 1951 and married in September 1954.
Jean graduated from the University of Michigan Nursing program in 1954 and practiced nursing for over 25 years, mostly in the Public Health field. In 1964, they adopted their son and daughter from The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois, a little over two years apart. She loved her needlepoint, spending summers at the Port Sheldon cottage, traveling with her husband and their friends, and most of all raising her two children.
Jean lived most of her married life in the Detroit area, but they moved to Holland, Michigan to retire. Don grew up in Holland and they looked forward to many years together there. Don suffered a massive stroke in 2005 which resulted in him moving to a nursing home and Jean moved into assisted living to be close to him. They were never far from each other. They lived their last years in the nursing home together, same room, just a few feet apart from each other.
Jean is survived by her daughter Susanna Ellen Kennedy, her son David Andrew Postma, daughter in law, Angela Postma, son in law Rob Kennedy, grandchildren, John Andrew and Shannon Elizabeth Growney, sister-in-law, Bonnie Smail and nieces, Kim McClurg(Smail), Karen Dennis (Smail). She was predeceased by her husband Don and her brother Glenn.
Arrangements are by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, www.langlandsterenberg.com.
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