Jean Marie Van Sickle

Jean Marie Van Sickle

October 6, 1931 - June 3, 2025

After many happy years spent at Shell Point Retirement Community, Jean M. Van Sickle went home to be with the Lord, passing quietly at Hope Hospice, Cape Coral, Florida on June 3, 2025.

Jean Marie - fondly known in her early years as "Jeannie" - was born Jean Applegate to Ida Kaiser and Elbert Applegate in New Brunswick, New Jersey on October 6, 1931. She would be Ida and Elbert's only child and the true delight of their life. Young Jeannie flourished in the company of a loving extended family of Applegates and Kaisers and many dear young friends in both Milltown and Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.

Throughout her school years, Jean was an outstanding student who demonstrated a keen aptitude and strong work ethic in virtually every task she undertook. At the same time, in a world still recovering from two devastating World Wars, she knew how to have fun, savoring the joys of small-town American life - leading the high school band down Main Street as head drum majorette and twirler, smiling all the way to the PPBHS varsity football field; packaging small gift boxes of salt water taffy at Jenkinson's Pavilion candy counter on the boardwalk in summertime; accompanying her father on his beloved cabin cruiser, the Jean Marie, on Barnegat Bay; running with friends down a sandy path from the family's small cottage toward the Atlantic Ocean.

After graduating from Point Pleasant Beach High School, Jean attended New Jersey College for Women (Douglass College), then a division of Rutgers University, where she received a B.S. degree in Home Economics, a discipline that would shape the rest of her life. Indeed, Jean Applegate chose a vocation that would impact the lives of countless others, both personally and professionally. While an undergraduate at NJC, Jean met her future husband, David C. Van Sickle of Port Jervis, New York. They married at Voorhees Chapel on August 8, 1953, and soon thereafter Dave continued his ministry studies at nearby New Brunswick Theological Seminary. From its very beginnings, Jean and David's marriage was marked by a deep commitment to church and family, the two responsibilities and covenants closely intertwined.

For almost three decades Jean gracefully balanced marriage, motherhood, service to the church, and a full-time career. After spending two years at North Reformed Church in Newark, the Van Sickles answered the call to a new congregation, and with their young daughter moved to Wayne, New Jersey to serve at the historic Preakness Reformed Church. From 1954-64, Jean and Dave welcomed four children. During a wondrous chapter of their life in Preakness, Jean devoted herself fully to being the best mother that three daughters and a son and could ever hope for. Blissful summers at the Jersey shore would continue, as well as rustic camping trips with beloved Van Sickle cousins; long drives to visit with grandparents in south Florida during the winter season; church suppers, retreats, and open houses; a variety of cultural events in nearby New York City; and memorable holiday traditions throughout the year.

Jean returned to teaching soon after the family left Preakness for the Upper Ridgewood Community Church. While her four children were thriving in local public schools, Jean attracted a large following of her own students; many gravitated to her classroom at Ridgewood High School, where a rich curriculum offered wonderful recipes and useful menus presented in spacious kitchens for hands-on learning. Even those who weren't officially enrolled in her elective courses enjoyed visiting with "Mrs. Van" in the hopes of a delicious reward or friendly conversation.

Jean's life took a dramatic turn when the family left Upper Ridgewood, the children having found their respective schools and colleges not too far from home. For the next two decades, Jean would successfully build a new life in the charming seaside town of Essex, Connecticut. She continued teaching in the Old Saybrook school system, and she became an active member at First Congregational Church in Essex. From 1983 to 2000, twelve grandchildren were born, bringing new joys and many opportunities to travel - from Ohio to Seattle, Palo Alto to Cape Cod, New Jersey to San Jose. Nothing was more important to her than family. She delighted in every newborn baby, each baptism, and countless birthdays, graduations, sports events, and holidays from coast to coast. Jean loved traveling near and far with Ken Carson, her beloved companion of more than twenty years. Together they enjoyed river cruises in Europe, Penn State football games, reunions with good friends at Squam Lake, ongoing visits with their growing families, and quiet weekends at home by the Connecticut River.

Jean will be remembered for her unfailing kindness to others, her ever-cheerful demeanor, a wonderful and sometimes mischievous sense of humor, and her uncommon wisdom; for the true grace she displayed as a wife, her loyalty to friends, her thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and selfless attention to others; for her servant's heart and generosity of spirit. Throughout her life, Jean was an authentic woman of faith. Above all, she was a gentle and nurturing mother who adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, caring deeply about each and every one.

In 2014 Jean relocated to Shell Point, a vibrant retirement community that would remain her home until the end. She made many new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the company of her close companion, Bob Haase. From her charming residence on The Island to dining rooms at The Woodlands and golf course, Shell Point's campus offered countless amenities, world-class cultural events, and year-round recreational opportunities in an idyllic tropical setting. Jean loved the natural beauty of her surroundings, frequent boat rides on the Suzy-Q, walks on lush trails that surrounded her home, "wine pals" and fine dining, ballroom dance events and exercise classes, patriotic and holiday celebrations throughout the year, art exhibits and concerts at the Tribby Performing Arts Center, regular Sunday services at The Village Church, and frequent visits with extended family, which continued to be the highlight of her life.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband David C. Van Sickle; her longtime companion Ken Carson; and her beloved sister- and brother-in-law, Jean H. Van Sickle and Richard Van Sickle. She is survived by three daughters and a son: Judy Johnson, Susan Castle (Tom), Lisa Lentz, Randy Van Sickle (Maggie); grandchildren Emily Bemis (Dustin), Vanessa Tarantino (Mike), Tyler Johnson (Courtney), Caitlin Johnson (Harlan Bray), Sarah Krech (Andrew), Tommy Castle (Hilary), Jack Lentz (Phoebe), Will Johnson (Allison), Hannah Lentz (James Herz), Emma Siditsky (Jordan), David Van Sickle, Owen Van Sickle; and great-grandchildren Joel, Lucy, Gracie, Annie, Lucy, Thomas, Wells, and Marie; her cousins Linda Applegate Smith of Orleans, Massachusetts, Bill Kaiser (Diane) of Doylestown, PA, Richard Kaiser (Janet) of Yarmouth Port, MA, and her very dear Shell Point friend Robert Haase.

In countless photos taken with family and friends throughout her 93 years, Jeannie is always smiling a radiant smile, focusing on others with her stunning blue eyes. We are beyond grateful to Almighty God for Jean's beautiful life, which left its mark on so many others. We will miss her dearly and we will love her forever.

Our sincere thanks to the Hope Hospice staff for providing reassurance and comfort during Jean's final days as she anticipated the joys of everlasting life. Memorial donations in her name may be sent to: Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway East, Cape Coral, Florida 33909.

"Love bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." - 1 Corinthians 13:7-9