Hetty Marietje Johnson

Hetty lived a long, healthy life into her late eighties filled with pursuing all the things she loved doing. After a 4-month battle with respiratory issues that inevitably affected her heart, she passed away peacefully in her sleep from cardiopulmonary arrest. Her final moments were spent in the scenic town of Temecula surrounded by a caring staff at Temecula Valley Hospital and by her surviving daughter, son-in-law, nieces, grand-nephews and close friends. Hetty’s family asks that she be remembered for her zest for life and the love and joy she brought to others, not the sadness of her passing.

• She is survived by her youngest daughter:

o Juna Mel Macarewa (Juna M. Mendez, married name)

• She is preceded in death by her:

o Parents: Paulus and Mel Pattyranie

o Her 1st husband: Fred L. Macarewa

o Her 2nd husband: Kenneth Johnson

o Her older daughter: Wanda May Macarewa

o Her son: Michael Paul Macarewa

CHILDHOOD INTO ADULTHOOD

She was born February 9, 1936 in Amurang, Indonesia - where she grew up an only child with her parents on this island village before they eventually moved to the larger city of Bandung Indonesia as a young lady to pursue a career in nursing.

High School: Sekolah Pendudukan Sulawesi SPS in Kawangkoan, Indonesia

College:

• Nursing School in Bandung, Indonesia (year unknown)

• Grossmont College in El Cajon, San Diego County, California US (1980)

• Hayward-Fairmont School of Nursing in Alameda on the San Francisco Bay, California US (roughly 1983)

• Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri US (roughly 1985)

Marriage:

• 1st Marriage - Fred Macarewa in Menado, Indonesia

• 2nd Marriage - Kenneth Johnson in Solano County, California, United States

LIFE AND LEGACY

Migration to the US

• After finishing high school and few years of college in Indonesia, Hetty got married to Fred Macarewa and had 2 kids (Wanda and Michael) shortly after

• The Macarewa family soon migrated to the US around 1967 to California a few months before heading to Michigan for Fred to attend Andrews University for his ministerial seminary schooling. During this time, she had her 3rd child (Juna).

• Once Fred received his ministerial degree, they moved back to Menado, Indonesia in 1969 for him to begin his ministerial/evangelistic pursuits and eventually help in pioneering a new church on the campus of Mt. Klabat SDA University (UNKLAB)

• During this time, tragically her daughter Wanda who had been born with Leukemia, passed away at the age of 10

• With the help of family members in the US, they decided to move back to California in 1974 and build a home for their family in Pomona, CA and be closer to relatives

• Inevitably, Hetty and Fred decided to part ways after suffering from the challenges that come with marriage

• Hetty then moved to San Diego for a few years before eventually settling in Vallejo in the Bay Area

A New Life

• She remarried Kenneth Johnson and completed her nursing credentials to become a registered nurse in the Bay Area

• She and Ken moved to Springfield, MO, where they successfully built their property investment business.

• Hetty and Ken followed their passions after their successes, including skydiving. Ken, a skilled pilot, taught Hetty and Michael.

• After years of travel and success, Ken, her husband, tragically died in a car crash returning from the Gulf War.

• In continuing Ken’s legacy, Michael became a certified sky diving instructor and took Mom on many more jumps to distract her from the loss of Ken

• Hetty continued to focus on her real estate flips, which she found fulfilling and became quiet proficient. This eventually led to a comfortable financial state in her later years.

• She started learning new hobbies and activities, such as quilting with her church friends, and developed a strong interest in ballroom dancing

• She became quite proficient in ballroom so started competing, receiving much positive feedback from her instructors

• Inevitably, in Michael’s battle with cardio-stenosis most of his life, he passed in his sleep at 35yrs of age

• Her friends and family reminded her of God's strength, which had carried her through past setbacks. She relied on this strength to keep moving forward.

• She threw herself into work plus as after work activities, especially her ballroom

Retirement

• Coming into her 60’s, and contemplating retirement, she eventually moved back to CA to be closer to her only daughter, Juna

• She settled in the city of Riverside where Juna and her soon to be husband, Jesse resided

• After purchasing a home in Jurupa Valley, CA with Juna and Jesse getting married, she encouraged them both to live with her while they looked for a home

• Upon deciding to retire early at 62, she continued to work a few more years as a part-time/on-call RN for various agencies before permanently retiring at 66

• In retirement, upon receiving a gardening kit from her Juna and Jesse as a gift, she threw herself into building an herb garden in their shared backyard

• She preferred plants and fruit trees over flowers because they last longer and can be eaten. Papaya was favored by her due to its taste and nutritional value.

• The Papaya trees she planted grew so tall, they created a nice shade in the patio from the sun. These will forever be a memorial to her and for her family to enjoy.

• As a nurse, she was knowledgeable about holistic practices and preventive health. She shared her health knowledge with her family and friends.

• As she aged, she preferred a minimalist lifestyle and usually disliked frivolous gifts from her family. She chose to save money for her children's future instead.

• Since she was young and more in retirement, she relentlessly studied healthy practices. Her research had long-term effects as she avoided hospital visits for most of her life.

• She imparted her health-conscious ways and findings to everyone and was a major influence in her family’s lifestyle choices as well as her nieces and nephews.

• She spent her final years in Riverside, where Juna and Jesse cared for her until she passed away

FAREWELL NOTE

Known for her perfection in all things, yet resilient when life wasn’t perfect, her minimalist nature, her passion for healthy living, her never-ending journey to learn new things – Hetty will be dearly missed by all who knew her. As we bid farewell, let us take comfort in the assurance of eternal life through our Christ Jesus. Her life remains a glowing light, reminding us to live with hope and perseverance - as she so beautifully did.

Though her physical journey has ended, we know that she is now in quiet rest in her Saviour Jesus’ loving arms. May her example inspire us to grow closer to God and to cherish the countless blessings by embracing the life that He’s gifted us. Rest in peace, dearest Hetty. Your earthly journey may be complete, but your eternal destination into God’s glorious kingdom will soon begin.

“We shall meet you soon in the sweet by and by,

near that beautiful river that flows by the throne of God.”

A visitation for Hetty will be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354, followed by a funeral service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.