Janie (Ybarra) Quintero

With a heart for children, Janie Quintero lived her life caring for others in any way she could. She was blessed to share 35 years with the love of her life with whom she raised the family she loved more than life itself. Janie found such peace and tranquility when she was around water whether as a young girl or as an adult. Whenever Janie was around, one was always assured to be well fed and her cooking was second to none. She was a remarkable woman with so much left to give when her story came to an end much too soon.

The fifties were a time unlike any other in American history as it was a time with changes both great and small such as the introduction to color television and rock ‘n roll, but also the acceleration of the Civil Rights Movement and the addition of Alaska and Hawaii as our 49th and 50th states. It was during this vibrant time that Juan and Helen Ybarra welcomed the birth of their daughter, Janie, on September 14, 1954. Janie was born in Zeeland, Michigan, as the oldest of three children in her family including brothers John and Steve. She was raised in the family home at 292 West 13th Street on the south side of Holland, just down the street from Wade Drug Store and St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church. Their home was also just one block from Kollen Park in Holland, along the shores of Lake Macatawa. This park played such an important part in the Ybarra family as did the calm waters of the lake for Janie. Janie’s father, who was known as Topo, worked at Wire Products and also owned a Mexican restaurant on South Division in Grand Rapids. Her parents divorced when Janie was nine years old and this was a difficult adjustment for Janie. Her mother worked at Walters Gardens full-time in order to support her three children on her own.

Since work often took Janie’s mother away from home, Janie was very involved in caring for her younger brothers. The three of them frequented Kollen Park, and there were also larger family gatherings there often. Janie, her brothers, and their friends often listened to their 45’s while dancing around to artists like Rick Nelson and The Beatles. When they were at home, Janie’s mother had a door that was always open, which led to a lot of kids over on a regular basis. In fact, there were always people around the Ybarra house. Their neighbor also played an important role in the lives of Janie and her family. She attended Catholic school through the sixth grade and then switched to the public schools in the area. Janie was a Dutch dancer at Holland High, and she also loved to read novels and write as well.

After graduating from high school in 1973, Janie started classes at Hope College. It was also as a young woman that she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Joe Qunitero and he was a customer in her father’s restaurant. He ordered enchiladas with no onions but when she brought back enchiladas with plenty of onions, a spark between Janie and Joe was ignited. A relationship blossomed between them and after dating for a time, they were united in marriage. Nothing could have thrilled Janie more than becoming a mother with the birth of Ginette in 1976 when she was 23 years old. After taking her daughter to daycare, she decided that since she had worked and volunteered with children previously, the time was right for her to begin her own daycare. Janie ran a licensed daycare facility for over 25 years in Holland, touching the hearts and lives of countless area children. Janie was again overjoyed to become a mother – this time to their son Matthew who was born in 1994.

Throughout her life, Janie enjoyed many things. She was a member of St. Francis De Sales for a number of years and more recently, she became a member of Christ Memorial Church. Her passions for reading and writing continued into her adult life. Those who knew Janie knew she was a great cook whose specialties ranged from desserts like coconut bars to a great veggie pizza and enchiladas that were complete with her dad’s red chili sauce. She always tailor made dishes to the individual with such love and care. Janie never thought twice about making one kind of rice for her husband, one for her son, and yet another kind for her daughter.

Family always played an important role in Janie’s life. Many precious memories were made at their family cabin on Canadian Lakes, east of Stanwood. Janie of course loved spending time by the water just as she had as a girl at Kollen Park. As an adult she lived in the house she was raised in as she purchased the house from her mother. Janie’s daughter purchased a house on the street right behind her, making Janie and her daughter backdoor neighbors. Janie and Ginette were so much more than mother and daughter; they were the best of friends. As her son grew older, Janie loved watching him practice and compete using his “martial arts skills” as often as she could. Janie also extremely enjoyed frog hunting, and swinging on her bench swing at the family cabin with her grandchildren Emily-Jo, and Nicholas.

Although she struggled with health issues as an insulin-dependent diabetic, Janie did everything she could to maintain a normal life. She never let her struggles get her down and always made the most of every day she was given.

Janie Quintero was a delightful woman who cherished her family above all else. She was always giving of herself and could brighten even the darkest of days. Janie was a hard worker who was not afraid of any challenge that came her way. Some who knew Janie will remember her for her mouth-watering dishes and treats while others will remember her for her great love for the water, but all who knew Janie will cherish her for her tender heart. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Janie Quintero of Holland died Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Janie’s family includes her husband of 35 years, Joe N. Quintero; daughter Ginette Quintero, son Matthew Quintero; two grandchildren, Emily-Jo and Nicholas; brothers, John (Diane) V. Ybarra, Steve Ybarra; and in-laws: Antonia Gil, Austin, TX; Faustino & Isabel Quintero, Holland; Raymond & Anita Quintero, Holland; Richard & Mary Quintero, Austin, TX; Robert Quintero, Dallas, TX; Carmen & John Gonzales, Holland.

nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday June 5, 2010 in the Sanctuary at Christ Memorial Church of Holland 595 Graafschap Road. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday June 4, 2010 at the Dykstra Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel – Holland, MI, 188 west 32nd Street. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution o the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids, MI.