Stroo Funeral Home - Grand Rapids, MI

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Service Information

Yvonne R. VanGoor

Visitation: Saturday, January 4, 2025, prior to the service from 10 - 11 AM at Stroo Funeral Home
Service: 11 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49508
Cemetery: Winchester
Memorials: First Baptist Church of Hampton Falls, NH 3 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, 03844

The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed by clicking on the red WATCH LIVE tab at https://stroofuneralhome.com/

Yvonne Ruth VanGoor, age 79, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Yvonne grew up in Cutlerville, MI, graduated from South Christian High School and Calvin University, and later earned Master's Degrees from Michigan State University and Boston University. She taught for a year at Sylvan Christian School before moving to New Hampshire, where she spent the remainder of her teaching career at Triton Regional High School in Byfield, Massachusetts. She was extremely invested in the lives of her students and enjoyed coaching, particularly field hockey, winning league and division championships. She was named field hockey coach of the year multiple times by different organizations, including the Boston Globe. Yvonne was deeply involved in her church and the lives of the people around her. She lived out her faith, was a deep thinker and was a mentor and example to many. She was always active, loved music, reading and creatures great and small. She was generous with her time and talents and was loved by those who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Grace VanGoor; step-mother, Angie VanGoor; sister-in-law, Gloria VanGoor; and niece by marriage, Gayle VanGoor. Yvonne will be lovingly remembered by her brothers, John VanGoor; Lyle (Lois) VanGoor; step-brother, Doug Bogard; nephews and nieces, Brian (Shera) VanGoor, Bruce VanGoor, Brent (Cindy) VanGoor, Julie (Rich) Pepper, Dawn (Matt) Plescher, Lyn (Brad) Mulder, Jim (Megan) VanGoor, Nick (Sharon) VanGoor; step-nephew, Kirby Bogard. The family will greet visitors on Saturday, January 4, from 10 - 11 am at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, where the funeral service will begin at 11 am. Rev. Ken VanWyk will officiate. Interment will be in Winchester Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Hampton Falls, NH, where Yvonne was an active member.

STROO FUNERAL HOME

1095 68TH ST SE

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508

Comments

# Sheila K. Jones 2025-01-06 00:44

My dear friend's comment resonated with me with Dawn's and Phyllis's uplifting talks Yvonne affirmed each girl as an individual -regardless of whether she could do an exercise in the gym!

The comment by Katie Babcock reflects what a class officer of mine from the Class of 1984 told me a few years ago when Yvonne moved back to Grand Rapids told me that she saved all of Yvonne's field hockey notes from before games -Katie-side note- so good to see your name on the comments! I loved the sense of God and spirituality that the minister at the service portrayed and its connection to Yvonne. As Tiny Tim says in The Christmas Carol, God Bless Us All ! Best ! Sheila I send anyone reading this hearts!

# S. K. Jones 2025-01-06 00:43

To Yvonne and her family, I met Yvonne in 1979 when I am embarked on a sixteen-year English teaching journey under the mentorship of Garth Pitman, the department chair at Triton High School and I soon became friends with Yvonne and Carol Christie ! Garth had Carol, Yvonne, and me to his condo to introduce us to the opera-Puccini's La Boheme! Yvonne loved the experience and was so in tune with all the music and lyrics as were Carol and I! By 1985, Bev Gravelle and Sylvia Francesco taught at Triton and the five women became dear friend! An anecdote from another dear friend in the Triton Junior High- a reading teaching who taught her years at different times in seventh and eighth grade. Years ago , she said to me that she so respected Yvonne because each girl in seventh and eighth grade looked forward to Yvonne's physical education class whether the girl was athletic or non-athletic.

# LynnTaplin Pisanelli 2025-01-04 18:35

Yvonne, Coach, best person in the world! Loved having you in my life to help strengthen my faith, belief in myself, my love for family and friends, and to become closer to God and his Son Jesus! You helped to strengthen my PE skills, Field Hockey skills, Coaching skills, life skills, and just plain good people skills. Loved sharing every experience I had with you! You will always be in my mind, soul, spirit, and be with me as I teach, coach, and live my life! Thanks for sharing YOU with ME!!! God Bless and LIVE ON WITH GOD!! Watch over my Dad and say a special prayer for.......you know who! Love ya tons and FOREVER, Lynnie ; )

# Ingrid Nicholson 2025-01-04 17:38

Yvonne was a faithful member at HFFBC who cheered on and lifted up the young families. She always had something positive and encouraging to say which always came at a time I really needed to hear it. So thankful she listened to the Lords calling in her life and look forward to the day we will meet again.

# Carlo John Nittoli 2025-01-04 15:48

My memories of Yvonne are many. We both were tennis coaches, she in Mass & I in NH(Exeter Public). We played from time to time and shared experiences with teams. She helped me a lot as I was a first year coach and must confess I rarely beat her in singles!

I will miss her energy around politics, and her love of family. Our group of teachers celebrated her birthday. It came in late May in time for me to harvest my Lillies of the Valley...her favorite flower

# Kathy Muse 2025-01-04 15:23

Yvonne was a strong team leader for the Unified Arts and her quick wit and reverence in times of crises made our jobs so fulfilling at Triton. She could always turn work into fun! I think Yvonne made me a better person, and undoubtedly a better teacher. Rest In Peace, sweet Yvie, and thanks for the amazing scallop recipe!

# Barta Hathaway 2025-01-03 14:52

To Yvonne's family and MANY friends. Yvonne, you were (and are) a dear and treasured person. You were a bright, thoughtful and insightful colleague! You constantly gave of your time and talents to both students and faculty. Always a bright moment to have your head pop into my classroom to share news or a funny story! In retirement we had lots of golf adventures and you were always generous with your praise when two art teachers ventured to play in your group. I will take your lessons with me always, you lived your faith and mentored us all! With loving memories, Barta

# Katie Babcock Demers 2025-01-02 22:56

I have so many memories of Coach in high school but also for years after. A favorite was going to her mailbox before EVERY field hockey game to get my letter. She wrote one to everyone on the team. Always positive. Her opinion of me as a player and a person meant everything to me. Remarkable mentor. I hope you bump into my dad wherever you end up~ both he and my mom thought the world of you. The genuine, gentle way you did everything was unlike most. You made an impact on my life. Thank you~

# Beth Duff 2024-12-31 20:07

Dear Yvonne, You were such a gift to me as a teacher and coach. You helped me get through some of those most difficult days of being a teenager. You made me laugh when I needed it the most!! I can’t remember laughing with anyone else more than I have with you!! Thank you for your belief and love. What a joy to be around you!! I know I have a dear angel now that will laugh with me still!! XO love Beth

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