Harriet-Jane Hoogendyk

Harriet-Jane (H.J.) Graham Hoogendyk, 96 years old, was born January 26, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away December 9, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. A long-time resident of Englewood, Colorado, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Hoogendyk; her parents, David Crockett Graham and Alicia May Morey Graham; four sisters: Jean Atchley Graham Brown, Dorothy Elizabeth Graham Edson, Ruth Harriet Graham Russell Eaton and Margaret Julia Graham; a brother David Crockett Graham, Jr. who died in infancy; and a grandson, Michael J. Hoogendyk, Jr. Being the last of her generation in the family, she received lots of support from a truly extended family.

Harriet-Jane is survived by her four boys, Michael J. Hoogendyk of Phoenix, AZ, Peter W. Hoogendyk of Elizabeth, CO, Christopher G. Hoogendyk of Amherst, MA and David M. Hoogendyk of Englewood, CO. She also has twelve grandchildren: Kimberly S. Hoogendyk, Zachary M. Hoogendyk, Carly J. Hoogendyk, Sarah F. Hoogendyk, Brianne Starr Dale, Robert E. Hoogendyk, Thomas A. Hoogendyk, Michael J. Hoogendyk (3), Dana R. Hoogendyk, Johanna F. Hoogendyk, Shelby N. Hoogendyk and Joseph C. Hoogendyk, along with seven great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

As a young child, she grew up in Suifu (Ipin), Szechwan (Sichuan) Province, China, where her parents were stationed as American Baptist missionaries. She learned English and Chinese simultaneously and took great delight in her later years in being able to sing “Jesus Loves Me” in Chinese. During the summers, they would travel to a summer cottage on Mt. Omei, where she enjoyed hunting for butterflies and crystals. At age 13, she was enrolled in the Fannie Doane Home for missionary children in Granville, OH, while her parents went back to China after one of their furloughs. They were transferring to Chengdu and were unaware that there was a Canadian High School there that she could have attended.

She received her registered nursing degree in the spring of 1942 from Wesley Hospital and Nurse Training School in Wichita, KS, receiving her diploma two hours prior to marrying her husband, Joseph. She worked at various times for Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and then at Porter Hospital from 1951 until her retirement in 1982. During the majority of that time, she worked the night shift (11:00pm until 7:00am) in Obstetrics. She was involved as a volunteer in the Swedish Adult Day Program at the Charles and Frances Johnson Center for about ten years, from 1986 until 1996, receiving many awards and recognitions for her outstanding contributions as a volunteer. Harriet-Jane touched the lives of many individuals, both through her nursing career and volunteer work, but she forever remained humble and felt that she could always give more.

During WWII, when her first son was born, she was living with relatives and uncertain of where her husband was actually stationed with the military. It was over 30 days before she was able to get word to her husband that he was a father.

Some of her favorite memories included watching Charles Lindbergh fly over her residence in Chicago and watching President Roosevelt drive around the circle in front of Fitzsimons Army Hospital during WWII.

After retirement, her favorite pastimes were making and painting porcelain figures, making porcelain dolls, painting with watercolor, and crocheting afghans for her family. Today, almost all of her descendants have a beautifully crocheted afghan in their favorite bright colors, crocheted carefully by Harriet-Jane. There is also a collection of porcelain dolls she made, which have been set aside for future female descendants. In addition, Harriet-Jane was passionate about the outdoors, nature, hiking (particularly at Roxborough State Park), star-gazing, and bird-watching, whether it was outside, or with her own extensive collection of pet birds at home. She celebrated her family heritage by attending annual Pow-Wow’s, as well as the Highland Scottish Festival, and conducted extensive genealogy research, particularly with her sisters. She enjoyed playing card games with friends, going to the Elsie Malley Senior Center for activities, attending weekly mass at All Souls Catholic Church, and spending time with her family. In her later years, she frequently stated how grateful she was that, “the good Lord blessed her with such a wonderful family.” Harriet-Jane’s family feels equally blessed for the way in which she touched their lives and the time they were able to spend with her.

A private burial is planned at Ft. Logan Cemetery where she will be interred with her husband, Joseph Hoogendyk. A Celebration of Life is to be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 (near what would have been her 97th birthday), from Noon to 5:00pm at the Englewood Recreation Center where she celebrated her 80th Birthday. Friends and family are invited.