Grietje de Haan

At the age of 99 our mother, Grietje (Guinea) de Haan died peacefully in her sleep on December 22, 2024.

She was predeceased by her husband Cornelis (2015) and by her brother Arie and his wife Jenny, and her sister Jo and her husband Coen.

Mom is survived by 11 children and their spouses: Johanna (Garry), Irene (Dave), John (Mildred),

Jakob (Karen), Peter (Thelma), Jeannie (Dean), Carol (Walter), Chris (Susan), Cheryl (Ted), Vickey (Tom), and Sheilina (Chris).

She is also survived by 27 grandchildren: Andrea (David), John, David, Kendra (Vince), Steven (Jessica), Erin, Kevin, Kelsey (Curtis), Max (Dayeon), Katie, Michael, Joshua, Jessica, Victoria (Joey), Hanna, Rebekah (Gerry), Cara (Sean), Daniel (Avery), Anna, Serena, Stephanie, Rachel (Luke), Carlie (Josh), Phoenix, Matthew, Nicole (Ben), and Emily.

Also survived by 17 great-grandchildren Kaia, Jackson, Carter, Sawyer, Julianna, June, Bridget, Megan, August, River, Izaak, Asher, James, Wesley, Winnifred, Coleridge, and Arjen.

Mom was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 6, 1925 to Jacobus and Renske Ruinard.  Her father died when she was eight years old. At that time, Oma Ruinard and 3 children moved in with Tante Allie and Tante Jennie. Mom finished her formal schooling at age 15 and despite the occupation of Rotterdam during World War 2, was able to find work as a clerk. After the war she was employed as a secretary by a shipping company to assist with the repatriation of Dutch citizens.

Mom and Dad met at a church group meeting in 1948. They married in 1952 after Dad finished his university studies. They first lived in Hallum, Netherlands where their three oldest children were born. In 1958, Dad was called to be a minister for a church in Winnipeg and so the family boarded a ship to take them across the Atlantic and immigrated to Canada. Mom was always grateful and happy to live in Canada.

Mom had a strong faith in Christ throughout her life, and continually studied the Bible and history. She was always eager to have conversations and discuss these topics.

Mom loved meeting together and hosted “family gatherings” in their home on Roberta Ave. for many years. She and Dad often travelled across Canada from British Columbia to PEI visiting with family and friends and marvelling at the beauty of Canada. They also developed a country retreat in East Braintree where she spent many hours creating trails and forts for the grandchildren to explore. She loved gardening and always maintained a flower garden.

The family are grateful to the staff at Donwood Manor who provided compassionate care to Mom for the last 8 years.

And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel.                    

2 Timothy 1:10