Marjorie Louise Brinkhuis Obituary (2025)

Marjorie Louise (Rutten) Brinkhuis, age 85, passed away at her home in Yakima, WA on January 20, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Marjorie was born on April 25, 1939, to Jacques Rutten and Petronella F. De-Haan Rutten, in The Hague, Netherlands. Marjorie met her husband, Hans Brinkhuis (also originally from the Netherlands), in Manhattan, NY. They married in 1972 and went on to have one daughter, Vanessa Brinkhuis in 1979. Family was very important to them and they were dedicated parents, ensuring their daughter grew up traveling the world to be close to family spread far and wide, especially Marjorie's entire family residing in the Netherlands. Marjorie was known for her generosity, determination, and her dedication to family and friends. Majorie's life story is full of courage, bravery, and determination. After experiencing and surviving World War II in the Netherlands, at age 19, Marjorie left her home country and traveled to England for her first job as an au pair nanny. After returning to Holland for a couple years to further her education, she then bravely set out on her own to cross the Atlantic Ocean by boat, immigrating to New York City in 1964 to work for Childcare Inc. where she au paired for more than 30 families, including the Vanderbilt family. She met some of her best life long friends in the 60s when she was a single woman living and working in Manhattan, NY. She transitioned from childcare to journalism, working for more than 10 years for VNU (Verenigde Netherlandse Uitgeverjen) a Dutch publishing Company, in the 1970s. Her contributions included Panorama and Story magazines. Staying true to her Dutch roots and love of flowers, she later opened a flower shop The Dutch Touch in East Islip, NY before retiring to NC. Her last years were enjoyed being close to her daughter, son-in-love and their pets living just across the street in Yakima WA, where she loved the local fruit harvests and flowers. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents Jacques Rutten and Petronella de Haan; husband Hans Brinkhuis; brother Peter Rutten; father-in-law and mother-in-law Hendrik and Francina Brinkhuis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Elio and Hennie Pelizzoli; and brothers-in-law Derek and Boudewijn Brinkhuis. She is survived by her daughter Vanessa Brinkhuis and son-in-love Michael Callahan; sister and brother-in-law Frances and Chris VanKekem; brothers and sisters-in-law Paul and Anne Marie Rutten, and Bart and Grace Rutten; and sisters-in-law Els Rutten and Beatrix Brinkhuis. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and beloved friends. No services will be held at this time. The family will gather at a later date in remembrance.