HENRIETTA ALBERTINA SCHOON COLOSIMO

COLOSIMO, HENRIETTA ALBERTINA SCHOON Henrietta Albertina Schoon Colosimo died peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She joins her husband David Colosimo, and her son David Colosimo II who predeceased her. Henrietta was born June 15, 1913 in Gary, Indiana. She was one of 9 children born to AJ and Wilhemina Schoon and the first in her family to go to college. She graduated from Carthage College in 1936. After college she was the activity director of the YMCA in Omaha, Nebraska. When the war started, Mama felt it was her duty to serve our country. Her sister Margaret was a nurse and joined the Army; Mama joined the Red Cross. After training she was sent to New Guinea, then to Brisbane and Toowomba in Australia. She was an aide to General Douglas "Dugout" MacArthur and also helped run R & R camps for the GI's in the Pacific Theater. She had been told that her sister Margaret had been sent to Europe. One evening in 1943, Mama was setting up a room in Brisbane, Australia for incoming GI's when someone shouted "Schoonie". She turned around and there was her sister Margaret coming in from the Philippines with a group of injured soldiers. And so it was that the Schoon sisters had an unexpected and blessed reunion. A reporter from the Chicago Tribune was at the camp and soon telegraphed the story to Chicago and on to Gary, Indiana where the Schoon sisters' parents joyfully received the news of their daughters' reunion and safety. After the war, Mama returned home to begin her teaching career. One evening her brother Jake took her to a Christian Endeavor meeting where a prominent accomplished tenor businessman from Gary was scheduled to sing. The pianist did not show up and Jake volunteered Mama to accompany the singer. Although Mama was a trained classical pianist, she was mortified but play she did and within a year, married her tenor, David Colosimo. After marriage Mama helped Daddy run David's Cleaners in Gary. Within the next few years they had four children. Since she was already home with her own children, Henrietta decided to tutor the "truant" kids from the neighborhood. Although those kids were forced by the courts to be there, soon Mama's compassion, acceptan-ce, humor and understanding converted them to go-od students and better people. When her youngest child was in school, Henrietta began her career as an English and physical education teacher at Calumet Junior High School. She was a loved and respected teacher by both the students and the staff. One of Mama's former students still writes to her. Eventually David's Cleaners closed and Mama retired from teaching. The children had scattered to Phoenix, Hawaii, San Diego and Pittsburgh and mama and daddy loved to travel to visit them. Mama and Daddy spent much of their time in San Diego with their eldest daughter, Jessica, whose home became the base for all of the Colosimos. Henrietta was shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of her beloved husband, David, six weeks after a cancer diagnosis. Six months later her beloved son, David II died after a lengthy battle with a brain tumor. With faith and grace, Mama continued on. In 1992 she permanently moved to San Diego to live with Jessica and her husband Case. She immediately volunteered her time at Alice Birney Elementary School in the third grade classroom of Margaret Ohl, a beloved teacher now retired, and Margie Ohl and Mama continued to remain close friends. Mama also became a member of First Presbyterian Church in San Diego and was secretary for the Golden Hours, a senior group. There she met Blaine and Mildred Marksbury and they became close friends and attended many church functions together. Mama also became quite an active member of the University Heights Community Association with her daughters and Case. She enjoyed the summer concerts at Trolley Barn Park where they sold University Heights merchandise. She was a pleasant sight in the neighborhood always wearing a large pretty hat and a great smile. Henrietta's death leaves a huge void in our lives and hearts. Mama taught us pride, respect, honor, faith and showed us unconditional love. We are grateful for every day of her 97 years. She was always amazing grace. Henrietta is survived by daughters Jessica (Case Iest), Jennifer ( Robert Belzer), Jay (Karen) daughter-in-law Lorraine Perez, brother Milt Schoon (Margie), sister-in-law Anne Schoon, seven grandchildren, David III, Jessica, Santino, Prince, Giovanna, Jake and Jessie Kate and nine great-grandchildren, the Elmer Herndon family, and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. The family thanks her loving devoted caregivers, Lucy, Nela, Norma, Flavia and Carmela, San Diego Hospice, Dr. Dominick Addario and Dr. Bob Smith for their dedicated care of Mama. We will miss her more than we yet know. A memorial service will be held on October 23, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date Street, in San Diego at 12 p.m. Burial will be in Gary, Indiana. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The American Red Cross, 3950 Calle Fortunada, San Diego 92123, or the Women's Council on Mental Health, 8910 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego 92123.