Geertje (Gaye) passed away peacefully with her daughter Tanja and son-in-law Wayne by her side.
She was predeceased by her husband Rudy and daughter Rebecca.
Mom is survived by her grandsons Keagan and Luke, her brothers Kees (Wim), Ton (Ann), Klaas (Trees), Jan (Els), and extended family in Holland.
Mom was born in Enschede, The Netherlands. After the War she wanted to meet people and spend time in England, Heidelberg Germany, France & Switzerland. Her goal was to become a stewardess with KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines). This is where she met my father and thus their travel journey began.
Mom & Dad were married on 18 September 1961. In 1967 the four of us moved for a short time to South Africa and two years later they bought their second home in Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria. Many fond memories of countless vacations in the sun with family and friends were spent there. We needed more adventures so they bought an old tugboat they named “Roelof” with a homeport in Spakenburg. So much laughter and fun, Rebecca and I had our classmates onboard for weekend parties, vacations with family and friends, and we met so many people along the way. Mom was the chef and in the tiny galley many delicious meals were prepared.
After dad’s retirement they travelled all over southern Europe with a Camper Van before moving to “Waterfall House” Glengarriff, Ireland where they spent the next 11 years. Rebecca and I both immigrated to Canada and after their time in Ireland they joined us here.
Her grandsons Keagan & Luke brought her much joy, watching them grow and developing into fine young men.
Mom and Dad have always been very in-tune about their life journey together. It was very important to them to help other children in less fortunate countries. They not only donated to Foster Parents, but travelled to Peru and Guatemala to meet families and help give their children a better opportunity in life.
Now Mom is on her final journey to be together with Dad & Rebecca.
Thank you to all friends & family who have enriched Mom’s life.
At Mom’s request there will be no service. Donations in her memory can be made to Campbell River Air Youth Association in support of 363 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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Campbell River Air Youth Association
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