Adriaantje Sjany de Groot

Adriaantje Sjany de Groot October 10, 1927 - January 4, 2024 San Luis Obispo, California - Adriaantje Sjany de Groot, beloved mother, Oma, sister, nurse and friend passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the age of 96. She was a loving, generous, strong, hardworking woman, dedicated to serving others, especially the young patients in her care. Sjany, the second of three girls, was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands in October 1927, to Cornelis Adrianus Poolman and Rookje Van Den Berg Poolman. Her early years were spent in this busy harbor town with family, friends and school. It was not an easy life for her and became even more difficult when her beloved mother passed away in 1935. With her mother's passing came additional hardships. When WWII came to her homeland, Sjany and her family suffered immensely. Near death from starvation, constant bombings, and home insecurity are some of the horrors she experienced during this time. Rising above the hardships and experiences of her young life are evidence of her tenacity and determination even as a child. Always having a special place in her heart for babies and small children, the one bright spot for her during this harrowing time was the births of her twin half brothers. When WWII finally ended, she was able to pursue a lifelong dream to become a nurse. To do this she moved from her hometown to attend 4 years of nursing school. Even there she had much to overcome, but she persevered to the end. Shortly after she graduated from the nursing program, she married Rokus de Groot, beginning a 63 year long partnership of love and support. In 1959 the family, Rokus, Sjany and their three children, immigrated to the US, setting up roots in San Luis Obispo, California. She helped support the family at first with sewing and tending children. Soon after she was hired as a night nurse at French Hospital. She continued at the hospital for many years. During these years, the family was overjoyed to add two more children to the family. In the early 70's she attended Cuesta College's nursing program and received an AA in nursing, certifying her in the US, along with her BSN from Holland. After a health issue in 1976, Sjany took a break from working at the hospital. During this time, she began doing respite care for children with severe medical issues to give their parents much needed time off. It was not long after this that the de Groot's Nursing Home for Medically Fragile Children came to be. Sjany was determined to provide the best possible care for "her babies" and to do so in a loving, home setting. They began caring for up to six children in their original home, then built a bigger home/facility which accommodated up to fifteen children. Together with her husband Rokus, family and staff, Sjany cared for these precious children with extreme health issues with love, compassion, and determination. They also add two more daughters to their family. There were many challenges over the years, but she was driven by her motto "I will never give up!"ï¿½ and she didn't! Sjany often received recognition for her work, including the following awards: SLO Woman of the Year (SLO Business Women); Presidential Recognition Award for Exemplary Community Service (from President Ronald Reagan, 4/88); Woman of the Year (State of California Legislature; Assemblyman Eric Seastrand, 3/89); Caring Award nomination (Senator John Seymour, 4/92); Family of the Year nomination ( SLO 11/91); Red Apple Award (SLO Medical Auxiliary, 4/95); Woman of the Year (State of California Legislature, Tom Bordonaro, 3/97); Woman of Distinction Award for Community and Public Service (Assemblyman Tom Bordonaro, 3/97); Cuesta College Honored Alumni (2008). The deGroot Nursing Home continued with Sjany at the helm until 2013 when state issued requirements caused funding to be cut off and the nursing home formally closed, though she continued to care for a few remaining patients at her own expense. Sjany was a light and a blessing to all who knew her. She was dedicated to caring for those children needing specialized care. Some of these children may have had no one else to care for them, others had given up on, but she was always determined to make sure that even the shortest life would be filled with love. Her care blessed not only these children but also brought comfort to their families. Though she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion and determination that will remain in the hearts of all whose lives she touched. Sjany is survived by: Her brother Kees Poolman (Tineke); children Menny Williams (Paul), Pieter deGroot (Sheryl), Chuck deGroot, Wendy Broders (Dennis), Heidy Shannon, Craig Shannon, Susie deGroot, Melissa deGroot, and Xander de Groot She will also be remembered with love by 17 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 651 Foothill Blvd. San Luis Obispo. Link for livestream of service: https://zoom.us/j/95748036300 Burial will be private. Reis Family Mortuary: (805) 544-7400; San Luis Obispo.