Jacoba C. Van Schaften, age 96 of Mendham and formerly of Hawthorne, died on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at the Holly Manor Nursing Home in Mendham, New Jersey.
Jacoba was born in Rotterdam, Holland and in 1953 immigrated to the United States with her three sons in 1953 to join her husband John.
Together they worked at the St. Anthony’s RC Church in Hawthorne for the Rectory and the School for many years. She moved to Waldwick in 1967 where she worked at the Nativity RC Church in Midland Park and later at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
She moved to the Mendham Area Senior Housing (MASH) in 1991 and to Holly Manor in 2004, where she was well cared for and loved dearly by everyone there.
Her family recalls that she was a great cook and loved to entertain whenever possible, whether it was for birthdays, holidays, and or any special occasions. She also loved to dance and listen to music. She enjoyed summer vacations in Ocean Grove at the Jersey Shore and had occasion to visit Florida, Colorado and Niagara Falls too. However most important to her life was raising her three sons.
Her husband John passed away in 1964. She is also predeceased by her sister, Miep, and by her brothers, Gerard and Dick. Jacoba is survived by her three loving sons; Andre’ and his wife Sophia of Grand Junction, CO, John and his wife Mari of Chester, NJ, and Gary and his wife Judy of Wayne, NJ. She was "Oma" to 7 grandchildren: Nancy, Marc, Erik, Chip, Keri, Ryan and Sean, and 5 great-grandchildren: Joey, Ashley, Jason, Josie and Riley, and great-great-granddaughter Hailey. She is also survived by her sister, Nel of Havertown, PA., her sisters-in-law Nel of West Milford, and Ann of Waldwick and by her dear cousin, Jacoba, of North Haledon, plus many loved nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday, January 21, 2010 from the funeral home, and then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Burial will follow at the Mary Rest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holly Manor Activities, 84 Cold Hill Road, Mendham, NJ 07930, or to Atlantic Home Care and Hospice, 33 Bleeker Street, Millburn, NJ 07041.