Johanna "Grandma Jo" Boerma

Johanna "Grandma Jo" Boerma of Hanover Park for 37 years Services for Johanna "Grandma Jo" Boerma (nee Fortuin), 81, will be private. Born May, 31, 1925, in Holland, she died Monday, Nov. 13, 2006, at home. Johanna (Jo) Boerma knew how to give back to her community. If there were families in need, Jo was always there, whether it was buying groceries for those in need, supplying clothing, or even giving her coat off her own back. Whatever she had, she would share with those in need. As a beloved lunchroom mother (better known to hundreds of children as "Grandma Jo"), she served 25 years at both Jane Adams Jr. High and Albert Einstein Elementary. She was blessed with the gift of knowing what children needed. She was there to give discipline when required, compassion in the form of warm hugs, or just a great listener when someone needed to be heard. She would always supply treats to all the children she came in contact with. If a child lacked money for something the other children had such as books, ice cream money or other wants, she made sure they received it. On holidays, children, teachers and co-workers would receive a hand made basket filled with treats. As a babysitter to half of her neighborhood, she mentored mothers on child rearing as well as being a surrogate mom to children of working mothers. She would teach right from wrong, problem solving, compassion, forgiveness, sharing and tolerance. She was the best child advocate a child could ever dream of. It's best to say "children" were her passion in life. Jo would stand up for what she believed was right. Whether it meant going up against a principal, a teacher, or clergyman, etc. She always fought battles to protect those who could not fight for themselves. She was a true humanitarian. During her time on Earth she touched so many lives and will be truly missed for all she has done. God bless Grandma Jo. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Samuel Boerma; children, Gary (Billie) Boerma of Streamwood, Tom (Theresa) Boerma of Wichita, Kan., Chris (Jacque) Boerma of Rockford, Fred Boerma of Hanover Park and Johanna Maria Gonzalez of Wisconsin; sisters, Hilda Donk of Hanover Park and Dean DeJonge of California; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Dora Galan.