Heather Jacob ’88 Schaap

Heather J. Schaap died on October 29, 2018 of glioblastoma. Heather was born on June 8, 1966, in Holland, Michigan to Barbara C. and George F. Jacob. She was a graduate of Grandville High School (’84) and Hope College (’88). She is survived by her husband, Todd Schaap; children, Zoey, Emma, Eli, and Zachary; her parents; brother, Shawn R. Jacob; in-laws, Richard and Carol Schaap; sister-in-law, Jodi (John) Robertson; aunt, Patricia Johannsen; nephews, Maclean and Connor Robertson.

After she graduated from Hope, Heather went on to teach English and coach at Holland Public Schools, teaching GED classes for Heights of Hope, and pouring herself into leading small groups at Ridge Point Community Church. She impacted many lives sharing the love of Jesus, doing so by caring for and loving others. Heather’s greatest love and passion was being a mom.

Heather loved competition. While in high school, she participated in multiple sports, and in college – never lost a tennis match to her husband-to-be. Her love for competition carried into family games of Dogopoly, where she would never give up the Chihuahua card. Visitation and a memorial services were held on Tuesday, November 6, at Ridge Point Community Church in Holland.

The Jacob family has established The Heather Jacob Schaap Retreat Fund in her memory in the hope that her positive work with children will live on through the activities of an annual student retreat hosted by Zeeland High School. You may contribute by sending a tax deductible check made payable to: “The Heather Jacob Schaap Retreat Fund”, c/o The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, 85 East 8th Street, Suite 110,
Holland, MI 49423.

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