Grietje was born on March 27, 1933, to Crisstoffel and Grietje Brandenburg, both preceding her in death. She was born in Amsterdam. Grietje always believed in hard work, she lied about her age to get a job at 13 years old, to help her parents and 14 siblings survive the brutal times happening around her. As a girl, she enjoyed biking, swimming, and dancing.

Grietje would go on to meet Ruben J. Jackson, a US soldier, and marry at the age of 21. As a military wife, she lived in Germany, France, and eventually settled in America. She and Ruben established their home in Tacoma, WA. To her delight, she was also able to share her new life, in a new place, with her childhood bestie, Aafje Hobbs, preceding her in death, whom also was a military wife, stationed at Ft. Lewis military base.

Grietje raised, and will be missed by her 6 children, Ella Warren, Apolonia Jackson, Emarentiana Averitt, Williemyntje (Laney) Swift, Doris Jackson, and Crisstoffel (Trina) Jackson.

Grietje married her soulmate, Leon Stansberry, in 1993. She would gain 3 more children, Cheryl (Ricky) Grady, Diane Robinson, and Leon Stansberry, Jr. She and Leon shared a love for traveling, fishing, and gardening. They always ate dinner at 5 pm sharp, and watched the news until it went off. They shared a great life together until Leon passed away in 2010.

Grietje was surrounded by family and friends, and continued to travel back to Amsterdam. She loved spending time with her siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. She had a great sense of humor, and a lot of wisdom to share. She made a huge impact on her 13 grandchildren, Terry Jackson, Jamar (Victoria) Rhodes, Talisha (Jaron) Hinton, Kevin Strickland, Jr., preceded in death, Nicole Jackson, Anthony Averitt, Jr., Marcus Rhodes (Natalia Varela), Chezare (Charde) Robertson,Ciara Wade, Keisha (Darius) Jones, Crisstoffel Jackson Jr., Taetiana Morrison, and
Taevion Swift. She was blessed with 37 great grandchildren, and 5 great, great grandchildren.

Love You

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