Harriet Sharon Schaapman

1960 - 2022

Harriet Sharon Schaapman
January 25, 1960 - April 26, 2022
Escalon, California - Harriet Schaapman passed away peacefully at her home in Escalon on April 26, 2022, at the age of 62. She was a beloved wife, mother, Beppe (Grandma), sister, tante, and friend.
Harriet leaves behind her husband of 44 years, Dave Schaapman, her children, Jacqueline Doolittle (Brandon), Brian Schaapman (Megan), Casey Schaapman (Kristina) and James Schaapman (Vanessa). She was Beppe to her precious grandchildren Jakob, Jared, Braden, Carter, Jack, David, Arie, Bo, Summer, Penny, and Kami. Harriet leaves behind her siblings Barbara Johnson (Roger), Joanne Ayotte (Brent), Sid Dotinga (Cindy), Henry Dotinga (Diana), and Tom Dotinga (Sandra). She is preceded in death by her parents Joe and Nancy Dotinga, her sister Janna Verhoeven and her brother Bill Dotinga.
Harriet was born in Southern CA into a large Dutch family and grew up in Chino while attending Ontario Christian Schools. As one of 8 children she had many happy memories of playing with cousins and siblings on the dairy. In 1972, the family moved to Northern CA and purchased a dairy farm in Oakdale. Harriet attended Ripon Christian Schools, graduating in 1977. She married Dave, her high school sweetheart and best friend, and they own an almond farm in Escalon. Their beautiful life was full of love, laughter and family.
Harriet home schooled her own children for many years before earning her teaching degree from CSU Stanislaus. She taught Special Education in the Salida Union School District for 16 years. Harriet loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a member of Big Valley Church in Modesto. Over the years she served as a Calvinette (GEMS) leader, Sunday school teacher, Crisis Pregnancy Hotline Director for Bethany Christian Services, and as a Bible Study Fellowship leader. Harriet enjoyed going on RV and jeeping trips with her husband Dave. She had a passion for gardening and reading and loved babysitting and supporting her grandchildren. Above all else, Harriet was devoted to her family and her ultimate hope and prayer was that all of her loved ones would know and love Jesus.
A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, May 12 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Burwood Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Escalon Christian Reformed Church.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Ripon Christian Schools (Ripon, CA) or Western Christian Schools (Upland, CA).