Janice Baldwin

In so many ways, Janice Baldwin was a bright light sent to warm the lives of so many within her reach. She had such a tender heart that beat to serve others whether her family, her patients, or someone who needed her help along the way. Janice was a woman of faith who was so blessed to share a rich and fulfilling marriage for 35 years with the love of her life, their marriage a shining example of what the covenant is truly designed to be. Janice possessed a quiet strength which allowed her to gracefully embrace both the peaks and valleys along her life’s journey.

As WWII continued overseas, back home people tended to their victory gardens while automobile production had ceased since there were scrap drives for tin and rubber among other goods as well. The year 1943 was a joyous one, however, for Marinus and Lucy (Dykens) Smeenge as they were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Janice, on January 11th in Grand Haven, Michigan. Janice joined her two older sisters and one older brother in her family and with her birth, the Smeenge family was complete. Janice was raised in the West Michigan area where her father worked as a police officer which is what brought them to Holland. Their family lived in the Waukazoo Woods area and Janice experienced an active childhood enjoying water skiing and regularly tending to horses too as they were a passion of hers. One of her favorite things to do as a girl was to swim in Lake Macatawa – she even claimed to have swum across it on one occasion!

Life became very exciting for Janice when she met the man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Curtis Baldwin and they met when they both worked at Chemetron. The relationship that began as co-workers soon blossomed into something deeper, and after dating for more than two years they were married on August 14, 1969. The couple was deeply in love and simply pledged to always be by each other’s side. The newlyweds initially settled in Zeeland for a time where Janice spent time working for a few local care facilities for the elderly. This experience sparked within her a love for taking care of others that would remain with her throughout the rest of her life.

For the next thirty-five years, Janice and Curtis were devoted to each other and raising five children together. Janice viewed becoming a mother to be her greatest gift, and she would do anything for her children. Family always played an important role in Janice’s life, even after her children left home. Family poker night was always one of Janice’s favorite nights. She pulled out her coins and “taught” everyone how to play.

A big part of Janice’s life was spent caring for others. She took some Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) classes so that she could be available to help others in greater ways. On one occasion the family was traveling to Grand Haven one night for pizza when they came upon a horrific train accident. The train had collided with a truck full of migrant workers and not surprisingly, Janice jumped out to help in any way she could. Close to three hours later her children began wondering when their mother would return. She was recognized for her bravery and assistance in regards to this incident by being given several awards.

Although Janice’s working days eventually led her to work for United Technologies and Michigan Message Center, life was certainly not all about work for Janice. Games were certainly a large part of her fun time. She enjoyed game shows on television, crossword puzzles, their family poker fun night, and she and Curtis also developed a love for Bingo. They often went to the VFW hall to play as often as they could. More recently, Janice played cards as a resident at Oak Crest Manor in Holland where she played for Dum Dum suckers or Hershey’s Kisses that she gladly passed on to her grandchildren. In fact while at Oak Crest Manor, Janice helped keep the residents entertained by organizing games they could all gather together and play.

There were many ways in which Janice was such a special woman – things that made her so easy to love. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1997, but her diagnosis didn’t keep Janice down, however, since even as she battled her illness she continued to work. Janice won her fight and became a survivor. She and Curtis developed a relationship that the children marveled at. They were always helping each other, caring for each other, and they had a bond that could not be broken. Faith also was an important part of who Janice was and she was a member of Beechwood Reformed Church in Holland.

Janice Baldwin was a caring and generous woman who was always placing the needs of others ahead of her own. She worked hard throughout her life but greatly enjoyed having fun, usually playing games. Together Janice and her husband built a legacy of love that their children have treasured, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren her greatest source of pride. As those that knew and loved Janice now say goodbye, they hold fast to the endless amounts of love that Janice lavished upon them each and every day. Her warm heart and compassionate spirit will be dearly missed.

Janice Baldwin of Holland died Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at Hospice House of Holland. Janice’s family includes her children, Kristi Leeuw of West Olive, Leslie (Gary) TenBrink of Holland, Brendt (Melissa) Baldwin of Holland, and Julie (Mike) Maglachetti of Colorado; six grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; her mother, Lucy Weber of Grand Haven; sisters, Louella Kammeraad of Washington, Marilyn (Howard) Bos of Arizona; brother, Paul (Ruth) Smeenge of Grand Haven; brother-in-law, Jack (Bonnie) Baldwin of Texas and sister-in-law, Pat Baldwin of Holland. Janice was preceded in death by her husband Curtis in 2005, her son Jeffrey in 1981, and her son-in-law, Dennis Leeuw in 2004. Funeral services will be at 11a.m. Saturday at Beechwood Reformed Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Marv Beukelman. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. No visitation is scheduled. Arrangements are by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes – Northwood Chapel, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, or sign her online guestbook.