Jean van Heeckeren

Jean will surely be missed. She was a loving and kind hearted person. She was also the world's greatest host. No one could put on a spread like Jean. She really loved to entertain and just be a good friend and listener. She loved life to the fullest and of course loved God most of all. She was an inspiration to see how she loved and adored her husband Steve. They always acted like newlyweds and were so much in love. Her happy, smiling face will be greatly missed. Now she is in heaven, no more pain with her Jesus whom she loved.

Jeannie was one of my greatest friends. She gave me the greatest gift any would could give. She lead me to Jesus our Lord and savior. She was very persistant and called faithfully on Saturday evening to ask me to visit her church. Finally I told Wiley we better go or she will not stop calling. On the particular Sunday that we went, when service was over and we were in the car to leave, even before we were out of the parking lot I asked Wiley..."We are coming back next week right"?!! And I have been to church most Sundays since that day over 4 years ago. She was so proud of me when I made the decision to have Pastor Goodluck baptize me and she and Steve were there with me. She was like a mother to me. So much so I called her Mama Jean. I thank God that I was able to be there for her and Steve through her battle with cancer. From the day we found out it was cancer until the day our Father took her home. She said she had one more song to sing. Well...she is singing it now with no pain and suffering and she made it to where we are all trying to get. She was an inspiration to many and she will be greatly missed. I will miss our phone conversations. We talked just about every day. She was truely a wonderful person who so loved the Lord. She touched many people in her life with her kindness and giving heart. She was one of my greatest blessings, she was my friend! I am at peace knowing she made it home. I love you Mama Jean!

Jean was a wonderful person to know, deeply rooted in the Lord's word and works. She was always reading and studing the Bible with Steven. Daily she and Steven touched the lives of many people, quoting scriptures, reading from the Bible to Tracy and I. And anyone else who was willing to listen. They would help everyone they could in any way they could. I do not remember if I ever told Steven and Jean that when they brought Tracy to Jesus, they also brought me back ad well.
Jean was also like a mother to me in many ways. She baked a German Chocolate cake for me for my 60th birthday, just prior to going back into the hospital. So you see, even with the pain in her body, she was doing something for someone else. Jean, last night I savored that last piece of cake as I slowly tasted the love that you put into it in every bite. I am deeply sadden by my loss of a wonderful friend, but at the same time I rejoice in knowing that we will meet again where you are now walking on the streets of gold. I thank God for having had you as my friend.

Jean was a very special woman. I always admired because she always had every hair in place, make up perfect, she carried herself like royalty and always a smile or a word for you when you were down. When there was work to be done Jean jumped right in peeled, painted or did what ever was needed. Doing a lot of jobs that others would turn away from. Any time that Jean was asked to decorate or set up for a dinner at church or a function you knew you were in for a treat. She could turn a regular luncheon into something really beautiful. Jean had that special touch and she will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

Jean was the perfect host and my goodness the cooking, well I can see why God wanted her home with Him. You would never walk out of her home hungry unless you simply chose not to eat. I remember the first gathering we had at her apartment and I believe there were 5 of us and Jean had made a meal enough to feed 10 or more and there were 5 different kinds of desserts to choose from. I know she certainly impressed me. Now she will be blessing God and everyone in Heaven with her many delicious treats. When we get there I bet we will find Jean baking away and awaiting our arrival telling us to have a piece of cake, coffee and sit a while. By the way I believe that there will be no calories there, Jean will see to that.

Steve and family, I know that you will miss her the most. However, we know that Jean is dancing with Jesus now, singing her songs and rejoicing in no pain. One day we will all go to meet up with her again. Until that day may God comfort you and know that He is always there with you to reach out and talk to. You might not see Jesus in person, but you have the loving arms that God has sent in the way of humans to give you that hug or to lean on for support whenever you need it. Please don't hesitate to reach out to someone when you need help. That is what the family of Christ is for.

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.

Jean was a beautiful woman in everything she did. She would listen to you and give advice when needed. She was one of the best hostess and interior decorators I have every had contact with. She loved the Lord dearly and wanted everyone to know the Lord that she loved. She had a compassion for children. I saw this compassion in Nigeria and at home. I will never forget Jean and Steve's generosity to me. She will be greatly missed by her friends and loved ones.

God gives us a precious few encounters with angels and I would say that Miss Jeannie was about as close as they come. I have the privledge of knowing her and Steven for just a short amount of time, yet it was a glorious time. Jeannie was the kind of woman that raised the bar for all of us. (of course she would think I was silly for saying that.) She makes me want and desire to be a better person. Yes, she was so elegant and beautiful and yet no one felt uncomfortable or unwanted when she was there. She loved everyone. She truly walked the Word in everything she did. People were naturally drawn to her as she continually lifted Him up! I will miss her dearly yet I know she is already preparing the place for our arrival. I imagine it will be beautiful and I will anticipate meeting my "angel of hope and courage" right after I meet Christ.
Steven and family my prayers are with you now as you rejoice her homecoming and you sorrow over her absence! Soon will all meet her and "under His wings find refuge"!

Jeannie was one of the first persons I met when I started attending The Ark Fellowship. She reached out to me as a mother and freind. I remember the firt time I visted her home. We had such a wonderful time Zeque and I. Yes she fed us with wonderful homemade pecan and cinnamon bread. We enjoyed the beutiful garden out back and she treated me like family. I can see why she was loved. When ever I was down, I could always call Jeannie for encouragement. I thank our Heavenly Father for bringing such a special lady as Jeannie into my life and also for allowing me to have fellowship with her over the phone a few weeks before her home going. I will truly miss her. Steve God blessed you with such a precious jewel. ;-} We love you both. I can see Jeannie now with Lord Jesus, sitting in a beutiful garden full of flowers. Psalms 116:15

Hi Steve, the obituary is beautiful, as was Jean. She was so wonderful in your life and the two of you were just perfect for each other. Safe in the arms of Jesus as we all will be some day. We love you Steve, Phyllis & David.