Obituary of Gysbartje Van Noortwyk
OBITUARY:
Gijsbartje (Babs, Bep) Magielse Van Noortwyk
It is with great sadness that the family of Babs Van Noortwyk announce her passing on Thursday, October 22, 2020 in Dawson Creek, BC, at the age of 96 years.
Babs will be forever and lovingly remembered by her 5 children: Elizabeth Els (Dennis) Chapman from Nanaimo, Yvonne (Jim) Struthers from Victoria, Marijke (Ernie Wilfur) Duff of Dawson Creek, Willem ‘Bill’ (Susan) Van Noortwyk from Peachland, and Neil (Susanne) Van Noortwyk from Smithers as well as 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and many extended family members including the van de Lagemaat, de Jong, Broere, and Ellwood families.
Mom’s outgoing, adventurous spirit created so many close relationships with many special people from far and wide. Babs was predeceased by her husband Willem in 1974, partner Gordon Ellwood in 1994, and her good friend Jan Van Haasteren in 2011.
Babs was born June 17, 1924 in Rotterdam, Holland and emigrated to Dawson, Creek, Canada with her husband Willem (Bill) in 1956. Babs & Bill became well known in Dawson Creek when they managed the Windsor Hotel restaurant in the 1960s. Mom loved living on the farm and enjoyed many years of horseback riding. After Bill passed away Babs became a regular swimming lengths, golfing, leading yoga exercise classes, playing cards and then travelling with Gord up north and to Mesa and Mexico. Retirement took Babs to Selwyn Apartments where she continued her social lifestyle and exercise classes. She was a very competitive crib player. Babs looked forward to her regular trips to Holland to visit her family. Late in life Babs reconnected with her childhood friend Jan. They had lost track of each other when the war started in Holland. Family was everything to Babs. She had a very close relationship with all her children, grandchildren, and extended families from Canada and Holland.
The family would like to extend their sincere thank you to staff at Dawson Creek & District Hospital, Northview, and Rotary Manor for their kind, compassionate, and professional care.
There will be no service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Gysbartje
Van Noortwyk 1924 2020..
reynars funeral home & crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Dawson, Province: Colombie britanique