Obituary of Jozepha ALLAN
It is with gratitude and sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Oma and great-grandmother, Jozepha Antonia (Vanderbyl) Allan on January 19th, 2018. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, the father of her children, Frits Herfst; and her second husband James Allan who was a source of great comfort and love to her in her later life.
Jo was born on July 16, 1920 in the small country village of Duivendrecht in Holland, the oldest girl in a family of 11 children. Her family survived the hunger and deprivation of world war I, and after the armistice, she married Frits Herfst and they had us, son Fred in 1947 and daughter Thea in 1949. She and her young family moved to Victoria in 1957.
In all the years that we’ve known her, she used her intellect, her organizational skills, her immense capacity for hard work and her sense of compassion to bring all sorts of people to work and play together. She had a talent for drawing people out with conversation and common goals, and her strong social conscience often gave her purpose and direction as to where she might be needed. She was a great believer in her well thought out 5 year plans! She was a strong female entrepreneur, independent and smart; a model for all women.
Shortly after marrying, Jo started a Boarding House in Amsterdam with a loan from her parents-in-law. She cooked and cleaned for dozens of single young men who were away from home for the first time. They called her Mama with great affection and gratitude. Meanwhile, she cared for us children, as her husband worked outside the home for their daily expenses. After 5 years, in 1957, she had made enough extra money for the family to immigrate to Canada in ’57, following her favorite older brother Leo, siblings and parents.
They settled into a house with two mortgage helpers, and very little money to spare. Jo taught herself English by reading and made sure her kids were enrolled in school. She began participating in organizing dances for the Skylighters (a dance band which featured her brothers and Frits, and noticed that many immigrant women were not socializing in their new culture. So she organized the Intercultural Association and instigated many activities, to help new immigrants to assimilate, especially immigrant women. These activities included ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and social get-togethers, and other activities like knitting, or cooking, specially for the immigrant women to get involved.
She started the Victoria Folkfest organization, to celebrate their various cultures with a street fair of kiosks shaped in iconic buildings of their countries in the square beside Victoria City Hall. Even in retirement, after moving to Qualicum, and at the age of 79 she saw there was no emergency preparedness program, so she organized a highly successful one with over a hundred volunteers, entirely from scratch!
Jo was always very glad to see and welcome her friends to her immaculate but cozy (gezellig) home. She loved giving parties, and she cooked and spoiled her guests with evident enjoyment. She was discerning and loving as a parent, leading by example, rather than by decree.. but also could be stubborn and could carry her negative feelings longer than she needed to. Jo’s commanding presence covered her innate shyness and her own need of affection. She loved and needed people around her to feel good. She was a woman of her time yes, but she was also ahead of her time, because of her independent spirit and intelligence.
Later in life, Jo moved from Qualicum to Sidney to be closer to her son and daughter. She valiantly fought to maintain her independence, but eventually admitted to needing more and more help. Several falls, fractures and strokes over the last 8 years meant that she needed help. Her last few years were spent in Island View Care Home where the staff treated her like a valuable member of their small community. She was stroked and coddled and loved all through the last few years. We thank all those who have cared for her, and who visited her there! However, her body gave up the struggle after a bout of pneumonia. She is now joyfully released into freedom of the heavens. She often talked about dying like that.. letting go of the body.. and we feel she has done that beautifully.
We her children, Fred and Thea are grateful that her passing was very peaceful. One minute she was fine, and the next she closed her eyes and just.. left. We mourn her but are relieved she is no longer suffering in a body too old for her spirit! Jo’s four grandchildren, Dori, Andrew, Petra, Ronya and her great-grandchild Helena also mourn her. as she left a great impression of love and concern for them all. Jo especially wanted me to tell her extended family of Vanderbyl sisters and brothers, as well as all their children and grandchildren that she cherished every moment she had with you.. and to give you all her love.
Following her wishes, there will be no service, and she will be cremated. Any gesture you make to a charity of your choice are much appreciated in her name. Fred and I will host an informal gathering for her ‘Celebration of Life’ on Sunday afternoon, February 4th, from 1pm until 4pm for family and friends at Fred’s Sidney home’s clubhouse. Details posted on our Vanderbyl FB Group. – Thea (and Fred).
With you a part of me hath passed away;
For in the peopled forest of my mind
A tree made leafless by this wintry wind
Shall never don again its green array.
Chapel and fireside, country road and bay,
Have something of their friendliness resigned;
Another, if I would, I could not find,
And I am grown much older in a day.
But yet I treasure in my memory
Your gift of charity, your mellow ease,
And the dear honour of your amity;
For these once mine, my life is rich with these.
And I scarce know which part may greater be,–
What I keep of you, or you rob of me.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jozepha
Anthonia
ALLAN 1920 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique
