Johanna “Anna” Byvelds passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Woodland Villa Nursing Home in Long Sault where she had been a resident for the past 12.5 months. She was in her 93rd year.
Anna was born in Erp, Netherlands, on July 22, 1921, to her parents Gerard and Petronella Pepers (nee Cleerdin). She was the sixth child out of three brothers and seven sisters.
Anna married Albert Byvelds when she was 27, and shortly after they started a family with three sons. In 1953, Anna made a difficult decision to leave her entire family behind and move with Albert to Canada. She was not able to speak or write one word of English.
Anna and Albert lived with Albert’s family in Boucks Hill for a year and then purchased a farm east of Brinston. It was at the farm that their daughter was born. It was the farm, that Anna would call home for 55 years.
Anna worked very hard along with Albert on the farm. She had many tasks: barn chores, feeding calves and cats, keeping the milking equipment clean. Whatever was needed, she got done.
Anna loved flowers and she had them inside and out. She was always very proud of her flower bed.
She loved company, and always had time for coffee and cookies. Sundays were special as they included church service followed by breakfast afterwards in Morrisburg or Cardinal. Then it was home for a quick nap, before a drive through the countryside to enjoy the scenery, an ice cream cone, shopping or just to drop in on a friend or relative.
For many years, Anna was a member of the Catholic Women’s League and Matilda Helping.
As her health declined, Anna moved to the Hartford Retirement Home in Morrisburg, where she lived for 3.5years before moving to Woodland Villa Nursing Home.
Anna was a devoted loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She is survived by her children Peter (Faye) of Brinston, John (Joanie) of Oshawa, Jerry (Wendy) of Brinston and Joanne (Wayne) McGill of Lunenburg.
She will be fondly remembered by her two sisters Jans Linders and Paula v.d. Velden both of Netherlands; by her grandchildren Peter, Chris, Lori, Jason, Allison, Trent, Benjamin and Scott; and by eight great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Anna was predeceased by her parents Gerard and Petronella Pepers, her husband Albert and her siblings Johan, Miet, Stien, Jan, Jaan, Dora, Antoon and Martina.
Relatives and friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Morrisburg, on Monday, March 17th, at 11 a.m. with Father Chisholm officiating.
Interment followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Morrisburg.
Pallbearers were grandchildren Ben Byvelds, Jason Byvelds, Lori Byvelds, Allison Merz, Peter Byvelds, Chris Byvelds and Scott McGill.
Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, CHEO or the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
[…]
Be the first to comment