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Renee is someone I will never forget.  She was my ”MI Mom”- a lady who made my transition 1500 miles away from home as comfortable as possible. 

Renee worked at the financial aid office at my university.  She did all she could to ensure that I recieve a good financial aid package, understanding my circumstances and knowing that I would be paying for school on my own.  From there, she became family- even to the point of calling me her “FL daughter”.  During my freshman year roommate issues, she invited me to her home and fought for something to be done.  Her daughter Erika, also a freshman, became a good friend… she too was dealing with roommate problems so we would go “home” to get away, as Renee lived locally.

Renee also took care of me during my first winter.  She came into my job one day with an armful of winter coats- she didn’t want me to freeze in the snow.  She would get so mad when I would be out in the snow without a coat or boots, even yelling from across campus and threatening to tell my mom!  She had been my ride to the airport when I left for my first winter break- before we left, she showed me my Christmas present- a bag full of warm socks and leggins.

That bag was in her trunk when a driver hit a patch of black ice and crashed into her while she was on her way to work.  She died at the hospital two days before she was supposed to pick me up from the airport.  I can’t forget that day… a co-worker called and asked me to sit down.  She explained what had happened.  I didn’t want to believe it.  I called Erika and we cried.  Coming back to school was hard.  In 6 months time, Renee had changed my life forever- she had accepted me unconditionally.  Even now, I have friends that I wouldn’t have without her- friends who had also been impacted by her life. 

The day Erika and Renee brought me to the airport, I took a picture of them with the camera I had bought my mom for Christmas.  I wanted her to see the people who had been taking care of me during my first semester.  I had hoped they could be friends.  While the quality isn’t the best on it, I am so thankful that I have this picture.

Goodbye

 

SPAANSTRA, Renee K.

Of Kentwood

Formerly of Bloomingdale

Passed away Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004. Renee was born June 17, 1960 in Allegan, MI. She graduated from Bloomingdale High School, attended and worked at Davenport College and moved to Kentwood 9 years ago where she was employed at Cornerstone University. Surviving are her husband, Thomas, whom she married June 14, 1996; one son, Joshua Voorhees of Marquette, MI; one daughter, Erika Voorhees of Byron Center; three step-children, Adam, Amanda and Alex Spaanstra of Kentwood; her parents, Robert and Nelda Van Horn of Bloomingdale; one brother, Bob (Vickie) Van Horn of Battle Creek; a nephew, Barry and a niece, Grace. The family will meet friends Sunday 5-7 P.M.; Monday 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the
BLOOMINGDALE CHAPEL