HEEMSKERK, Hendrica Ernestina Maria (“Rita”)
July 30, 1924 — January 11, 2019
Hendrica passed away on January 11th, 2019. She was born on July 30th, 1924 to Anna Maria and Cornelis Vollebregt in Zoetermeer, Netherlands. She was fourth oldest in a family of eight children. Hendrica is predeceased by first husband Nick (January 1984), second husband Leo (June 2015), son Freddy (July 1970) and daughter, Margaret (July 2017). She is survived by her loving children, Ann-Marie (Dan) Reimer, Joe (Liz), Cecilia (Rob) Vaile, Tom and son-in-law Gene Beaudoin; cherished grandchildren, Allison (Adam) Haigler, Jayden (Carisa) Beaudoin, Tanis (Jesse) Patenaude, Corina (Shane) Boes, Jarrod (Chelsey) Reimer, Andrea (Justin) VanIterson, Curtis Heemskerk, Dylan (Cassandra) Heemskerk, Brett (Kate) Vaile, Jaryn Vaile and Kirstie (Adam) Williams; great-grandchildren Annalie and Cedar Haigler, Lennon and Ivy Boes with baby due July 2019, Baby Reimer due June 2019, Nicholas, Thomas and Johnny VanIterson, Olivia and Elaina Heemskerk and Eila Williams; sister Annie Van Wieringen; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews from Holland, New Zealand and throughout Canada.
Hendrica is predeceased by her brothers and sister.
Rita and Nick immigrated from Holland in 1953 and made their first home on the former ACT Ranch in the Ellison district of Kelowna. They eventually moved back to Ellison in 1961 where they resided on a dairy farm on Bulman Road until 2000. Nick passed away in 1984, and in 1986, Rita married Nick’s brother, Leo. Rita was a meticulous and gifted seamstress, cook extraordinaire, fabulous baker and warm hostess who also loved to knit and crochet. Most importantly, she was a wonderful mother, Oma and Great Oma. Family meant everything to her. Throughout her years she was actively involved in the CWL, catering, leading singing at Church and St Vincent de Paul and as well knitting hundreds of blankets and vests for orphanages overseas. Rita and Leo resided at the Village at Mill Creek, and after Leo’s death Mom moved to Cottonwoods and then Glenmore Lodge. Her last 6 weeks were spent in Abbotsford at Menno Home near family. The Heemskerk family wishes to thank all these care facilities for their compassionate care given over the years.
A life well lived and loved – and she loved well.
A Funeral Service will be held on February 2, 2019 at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna at 1:00 pm. Viewing will take place prior to service, beginning at 12 noon.
Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, www.heartandstroke.ca in Rita’s memory.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
THIS SERVICE WILL BE BROADCAST/LIVESTREAMED ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019 AT 1:00 PM
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de HEEMSKERK Hendrica Ernestina Maria “Rita July 30 1924 — January 11 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique