The late May Leerdam.
\ST. EUSTATIUS--May “Maychie” Leerdam passed away Monday evening at the age of 97. She descended from St. Kitts but lived most of her life in St. Eustatius.
May Leerdam was the wife of the late Duncan Leerdam and the mother of Lynette Arnson-Leerdam of Lynn’s Dream Bakery. Her two sons Kennett and Garnett are both pilots. Her grandson Jeffrey Lewis manages the waste management plant and her granddaughter Rechelline Leerdam is a former Island Council member for Progressive Labour Party (PLP).
Leerdam was known for her big heart. She not only reared her own children, she also was a foster mom for children she brought to the island because they were without a home. She took the children to give them a chance of a better life.
She was also involved with a variety of charitable organizations, such as the St. Eustatius Dorcas Welfare Improvement Society, which helps the needy and less fortunate, handing out handmade clothes and home-cooked meals.
Leerdam was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, where she was involved with many of the church's good deeds in giving back to the community.
She was also known as a well-versed herbal doctor. She used her knowledge for every ailment. Her death takes quite a bit of alternative medicine history with her.
She resided most of her life in Concordia and later at the Auxiliary Home for the Elderly, where she passed away after falling ill.
