Person:Esther Gezon (2)

https://dykstrafuneralhome.com/obituaries/esther-heyns.61805

Esther Gezon Heyns, age 91, of Holland, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2010. Esther was born on November 4, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Gertrude and Hiram Gezon and sister to Mildred, Helen, Mary Ruth and Roger. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Dr. Roger W. Heyns, who died September 11, 1995.

Esther was raised in Grandville, Michigan during the Great Depression where her family regularly fed the poor traveling the railway behind her home. She attended Wheaton and Calvin College where she met Roger. She lived her long and unique life with grace, patience, wisdom and charity, contributing to her church and community in every city she and Roger called home, including Ann Arbor, Michigan; Berkeley, California; Washington, D.C.; Palo Alto, California; and Holland, Michigan. A nurse by training and a woman of deep Christian faith, she thought always of others and embraced people regardless of age, race, creed and religion. Esther was the consummate hostess, always greeting her guests with cookies and great conversation. She was an avid reader and lifelong learner, often reading multiple books simultaneously and subscribing to several national newspapers and magazines into her 90’s. All of these qualities served her well as she worked with great devotion and excellence as the Chancellor’s wife at the University of California at Berkeley during the turbulent 1960’s.

She loved Lake Michigan, and treasured the family cottage which for generations brought her loved ones together. She was a deeply beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and is survived by her sons Michael, John and Daniel; daughter-in-law Anne; grandchildren Angela, Garrett, Laura, Allison, Adam, Katherine, and John; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Adam, Roger, Anna, Jacob and Jacqueline.

A private family graveside service was held on Saturday, September 4, 2010. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Holland who provided Esther with loving care during her last days. Esther was interred at Lakeshore Cemetery.

Arrangements by The Mulder Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes 188 West 32 Street Holland, MI.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Esther’s online registry, share a photo, or read her life story.