Johanna Francesca Kent

March 18, 1910 - February 9, 2009

Johanna Francesca Kent, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grand mother passed peacefully on Monday, February 9, 2009 in Sugar Land, Texas. She was born in 1910 in Port Arthur, Texas to Peter John and Theodora Ruysenaars, who had immigrated from The Netherlands to Texas at the beginning of the 20th century. As a young girl, Johanna had the honor of achieving the first Torch Bearer Award for a Camp Fire Girl in the city of Port Arthur. This became a long career of active participation in the community. For years, she was a Camp Fire Girl leader having a huge influence on the development of many girls, a former member of the St. James and St. Josephs Altar Societies, a lay person for the church who delivered communion to the sick and elderly, a member of the Red Cross Board of Directors, and was First Chairman of the Gray Lady Volunteers of St. Mary's Hospital giving over 2,000 hours of volunteer service. She was also a charter member of the United Board of Missions and a charter member of the Lakeview Lioness Club, serving as President for one term. Johanna was a long time supporter of the community Concert Association of Port Arthur and a member of the Port Arthur Historical Society. Johanna is preceded in death by her husband, William C. Kent, after 60 years of marriage and nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son, Bill Kent, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Donna Kent of Sugar Land, TX. and daughter Katherine "Honey" Kent of Chicago, IL.. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Chuck Kent, John Kent, Andrew Sturges, Britt Sturges and Leah Sturges Mayer and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Dora Brammer Smith of Port Arthur and Billie Edwards of Edmond OK., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.