NASHUA – One of our beloved residents, Jan Hieminga, will be celebrating his 100th birthday on July 1. What an amazing milestone.

Jan was born in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. He met his wife, Jacqueline, in 1938 while studying for a degree in engineering. They fell in love and planned their future not knowing for certain that two years later World War II would begin. They married during the war in 1943.

In the war, Jan was part of the Dutch underground, helping to hide Dutch Jewish citizens from the Nazis. Remarkably, during this time, he successfully studied real estate and accounting, becoming the youngest real estate broker in Holland after the war was over.

Also after the war, he studied and received a degree in interior architecture and completed his engineering degree that he had started just prior to the war. In 1952, he started his own business, designing and fabricating office and store interiors.

He, his wife Jacqueline and their two daughters immigrated to the United States in the late 1950s.

Needing to first learn the English language, and after various jobs to make ends meet, he acquired his own business specializing in custom furniture design and fabrication, antique furniture restoration and also church, synagogue and courthouse interior design, construction and installation.

He and Jacqueline retired to New Hampshire and became residents of Ledgewood Hills in 1988. Their love of gardening became known to all with the beautiful gardens around their home. 

Having had an amazing career with a strong work ethic, Jan had many talents that he put to good use at Ledgewood Hills and the surrounding community. He volunteered and served for many years at The Upperroom Compassionate Ministries of Nashua, ministering to the less fortunate and those that had fallen on hard times. He and Jacqueline also attended and served at Community Chapel of Nashua.

Jan is known as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a man of strong faith, a trusted friend and neighbor; and, as always ready to offer a helping hand. 

His beloved wife Jacqueline passed away March 26, 2018. They had shared an amazing 75 years of marriage.

Jan has impacted many lives and continues to inspire all who know him.