Grace (Geertjen) Hoets, a resident of Mystic and formerly a long-time resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023 surrounded by her children and grandchildren at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London. She was 91 and remained alert until her last days.
Grace (Geertjen) Hoets, 91, passed away June 22. A private celebration of her life will take place in Darien at a date to be announced.
Starting life’s journey, Grace was born in 1932 in Gouda, the Netherlands. She was the second child of the late Dr. J.A.M. De Decker and the late Geertjen Stuy-De Decker of the Hague, the Netherlands.
She grew up in the Hague, where she met and married her husband Pieter J. Hoets also of the Hague — their marriage spanned 61 years. Grace and Pieter and their young son Hendrik immigrated to the United States, where they eventually naturalized as American citizens. Their second son, Anthony, was born in Cleveland.
In addition to having lived in the United States and the Netherlands, she and her husband lived in London and Stockholm. Grace spoke English, Dutch and French. She was a member of the Tokeneke Club.
She is survived by her two sons, Hendrik and Anthony Hoets of Mystic; and two grandchildren, Jeannette Ascroft-Hoets and her spouse James, and Pieter B. Hoets and his spouse Megan. In addition, she is survived by her older sister, Lous De Decker; and her younger brother, Peter De Decker; her nephew, Dr. Erik Holzer, and family members Hetteke Hoets and her children, Paul and Anniek Van Donkelaar, and Kathy Hoets and her son, Erik Hoets.
Grace’s life serves as an inspiration and example for all of us. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, full of life and good cheer. Family, friends, and neighbors will always remember Grace’s good nature, warm smile, generosity, optimism, humor, and wit. We will miss her deeply.
A private celebration of life will be held for Grace in Darien in September or October 2023. Details will be announced in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to Darien EMS-Post 53, P.O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820.
— an obituary from Mystic Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left