Alida Groot

Alida Groot, 86, of South Bend, passed away at Healthwin Specialized Care on Sunday, October 30, 2011.

Alida was born in Warmenhuizen, N.H., the Netherlands and was the second child of the late Johannes and Hendrica (VanDiepen) Dekker. A happy childhood was followed by difficult teenage years during Nazi occupation from 1940 to 1945. Alida had certification in bookkeeping and worked as a hairstylist in her Uncle Herman VanDiepen’s beauty salon in Alkmaar. She was a talented seamstress who could also knit, crochet, and embroider.

On May 31, 1950, Alida married Cornelis J. Groot and immigrated to southwestern Michigan under the sponsorship of his maternal Uncle Joseph VanLierop. They made lifetime friends and started their family in Hartford, MI but moved to the South Bend area because of job opportunities for Cor. Alida was involved in the home and school associations of her children’s parochial schools, a member of the parish board at St. Monica, and a longtime member of the Rosary Society as well as a Democratic precinct committee worker in her Mishawaka voting area. She enjoyed and appreciated a devoted circle of friends and neighbors who continued to support her as her health declined.

Alida was preceded in death by an infant son, brothers Jan and Willem, and her husband Cor (11/2/2002). She is survived by her children Hendrica (Doug) Sisk of South Bend, John Groot of Indianapolis, Cathy Strole of Brownsburg, IN, Mary (Bill) Quig of South Bend, Hank (Jeannine) Groot of South Bend, and Richard (Linda) Groot of Covington, KY. She has 11 grandchildren; Daena and Jessica Sisk; Sam and Lily Groot; Eric and Ryan Strole; Alec, Lauren, and Adrienne Quig, and Joey and Alexandra Groot. Surviving siblings include her older sister Catrien DeNijs and brothers Abram, Jacob, and Cornelius Dekker all of Warmenhuizen, and younger sister Cornelia of Monbulk, Australia.

Family and friends will remember her as a woman who could sew anything from dresses to coats to upholstery and grew in her cooking skills! She had piercing blue eyes, a quick laugh, an endearing accent, and a soft spot for the underdog. She loved to read, enjoyed travelling with Cor, and relaxed while RVing with friends all over the United States and Canada. Dementia exacted a heavy toll at the end of her life. The family wishes to thank her caregivers at Healthwin for the excellent attention given to Alida for many years. Welterusten, Oma.

There will be a private family service and interment.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Christ Child Society or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka.