Greta Teresa de Jong

Greta Teresa de Jong (81) died peacefully Thursday morning, October 23, 2025 with her husband Paul Schreur and their son Kevin at her side. Greta was in residence at Harbor Terrace Senior Living in Muskegon, Michigan, where she was assisted in living with dementia through the last six months of her life's journey. Greta lived a full and active life shared between her retirement beach home in Muskegon and her "southern" winter residence in Westerville, Ohio. She will be missed by family and all those she loved.

Greta was born October 14, 1944 in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, to parents Gerrit and Grace de Jong. They emigrated to the United States when Greta was 10 and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1955. Young Greta had to learn a whole new language to fit in, but soon excelled, graduating from Calvin College in 1967 with a degree in teaching. Her professional career took her first to Chicago and then to Columbus, where she furthered her credentials at The Ohio State University in 1973 with a Master of Arts degree in Education, specializing in early reading and literacy.

In Ohio, Greta met Paul and after several years of friendship, they married at the Columbus Park of Roses in 1977. Together they balanced full careers while building a life together, giving birth to their son Kevin in 1981. Greta delighted in exercising her creativity, often in support of friends, family, and her community. She played the flute, rang handbells to entertain nursing home residents, and sang in the choir at Church of the Messiah in Westerville. Her expert sewing skills were put to use making clothes for charity, crafting gifts for friends, and tastefully decorating her homes - everything from sewing tapestries to reupholstering her own furniture. Her quiet, persistent support was felt by everyone she knew, from volunteering to help with her son's marching band, to regularly joining her friends for lunch or vacation trips, to hosting dinners and events at her home for the many groups and organizations she contributed to.

Greta brought her wit and sharp humor everywhere, including camping with friends and biking with family. A love of music frequently took her to symphonies and concerts. A love of the water led her to swimming, sailing with Paul and Kevin, and kayaking Muskegon's waterways. A love of teaching fulfilled her, watching children succeed in ways they hadn't imagined before. In later years of teaching, Greta was certified in Reading Recovery, a one-on-one tutoring program for 1st graders struggling with reading and writing. Greta was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional society for women educators. After retiring, she continued to privately tutor students and supported educational initiatives wherever she resided. Her caring and patient educating gave confidence to young learners and touched many lives.

Throughout her life Greta was a trooper. Whatever came her way, she found the balance between the positive and the negative and found ways to pitch in and help where she could. She has been a loving partner, an inspiring mother, and a supportive friend.

A celebration of life is planned for the spring of 2026 where we can all gather, share stories, and remember Greta with joy. In lieu of flowers, we entreat you to make a donation to the Friends of Muskegon Heights Library, where Greta was a dedicated volunteer.

Donations can be made to CCD, P.O. Box 4618, Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 with a note for the "Friends of the Muskegon Heights Library, in memory of Greta de Jong. Online donation is also possible here: https://www.mhccd.org/donate - please follow your online donation with an email to HealthyHeihts14@gmail.com to direct your donation to the FMHL in memory of Greta deJong.

Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 759-8565. Share memories with the family online at https://www.sytsemafh.com.