Agnes (Casteels) Van Houtven 96, of Stratford died peacefully in her sleep at Hillside Manor July 28 2018. Devoted wife of 51 years of Alfons Van Houtven (2000). Dearly loved mother of Gilberta, Josie (Bill Kelly), Mary (Dave Connolly), Edith (Ian Parsons), Elsie (Paul Wright), and Paul (Brenda King). Cherished grandmother of Stephen Van Houtven, Janice and Andrew (Kimberly Grattan) Kelly, Rosemary and Neil Connolly, Matthew (Natasha Lymburner), Ellen and Emily Parsons, Katherine and Michelle Wright, and Ethan and Reece Van Houtven. Newly minted Great Grandmother of Gabriel Parsons. Well loved Tante Agnes of nieces and nephews in Canada and Belgium.
She was born March 22, 1922 in Bonheiden (Antwerpen) Belgium to Joannes Casteels and Clementina Goeyvaerts. She married Alfons Van Houtven Nov. 13, 1948. In 1955 they immigrated to Canada with their three oldest daughters, landing at Pier 21, Halifax NS.
They lived and worked on a tobacco farm near Langton, Ont. before moving to a farm in Ellice Township in 1957. In 1971 they relocated to Stratford and Agnes worked at Harlequin Books and Stratford General Hospital. In 1999 they moved to Hamlet Estates.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Alfons (2000) and her siblings, Ida, Louis, Alfons, Albert, Hendrick, Francois and Gaspar and their spouses as well as her Van Houtven in-laws, Coleta, Maria, Jeanne, Bertha, and Amelia and their spouses.
Mom was the last of her generation of both the Casteels and Van Houtven sides of our family. Her strong work ethic, genuine interest in everyone she crossed paths with and positive approach to life will always be an inspiration to us.
The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Hamlet Estates, Henry and Rita Klooster and the support workers who enabled her to live independently until a few weeks ago. Thanks also to the staff of Hillside Manor who cared for her in her final days.
Visitation at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Wednesday August 1 from 5-8 p.m. with Parish Prayers at 4:45 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 96 Huron Street, Stratford on Thursday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall following the interment in Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church Restoration Fund or Reception House Waterloo Region (for newcomers to Canada) through the funeral home. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Agnes Van Houtven 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Stratford, Province: Ontario
