Rene Castelein
Jean, many years with Bruce, has been a friend of our family in The Netherlands ever since I, and only a few years later my brother Allard, moved to Davidson as a foreign exchange student in 1970 for a year that has been a big influence on my life. Being away from home right after leaving high school, and even pretty far away in a time without internet, mobile phones or social media was quite an experience but Bruce and Jean, and their two -still small- daughters were a true family abroad. Their love and hospitality made for a stable cultural transition and a safe environment. This grew into a friendship between the two families and multiple visits, first of our parents to their home in Davidson, and later for them to our home in The Netherlands. Also in much more recent years, when Jean had already moved to The Pines, when we were in the Us we visited Jean on multiple occasions, either Allard or I alone, or, some years ago, with my wife Bella and our son Max. It was a shock to learn that she has passed away, although we knew that her health was declining. I will always remember and admire her strength and positive and trusting outlook on life, as well as her deep faith. We wish the extended family, including her many friends, peace and strength dot deal with this loss.
