Gerritdina “Diny” Vosman
1928-2018
Surrounded by her large family, our mother Gerritdina ‘Diny’
Vosman of St. Andrews, Antigonish County, passed away peacefully on
May 12th, 2018 at St Martha’s Regional Hospital in
Antigonish.
Born on August 7, 1928 in Wijhe, The Netherlands, she was the
youngest child of the late Bernard and the late Johannas (Gerrits)
Nyboer. She was the last surviving member of her immediate
family.
Diny is survived by seven children, Mary (Greg) Williams,
Amherst; Joan (John Archie) MacGillivary, St Andrews; Johnny
(Jacqueline), St Andrews; Willy (Janice), Labrador City; Francis
(Jan), Halifax; Elizabeth (Paul) Smith, Truro; and Anita (Mike)
O’Rourke, Sydney. She was a proud Oma to sixteen grandchildren and
nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and
nephews both in Canada and The Netherlands, as well as several in-laws
in Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and several
godchildren.
She was predeceased by William “Bill”, her
husband of 56 years, in 2012 and her son Bernie in January of 2018;
sisters, Antonia, Anna, Wilhelmina Westenenk and brothers, Gerrit,
William, and Johannes.
As a new bride in 1955, she and her husband made the
courageous decision to leave The Netherlands and immigrate to Canada,
arriving at Pier 21 in pursuit of their dream of having land for their
own dairy farm. She worked alongside her husband in the barn
and in the fields all while looking after their home and eight
children. Diny was an excellent gardener, grew beautiful flowers,
cooked and preserved impressive amounts of food including the best
homemade soups, baked beautiful breads, sewed and knit for her family.
She brought people to the table with her traditional Dutch foods. Life
was balanced and Diny and Bill always took the time for church,
family, fun outings, and return trips to the homeland. Mom was proud
of her Dutch heritage and she was very honoured to call herself
Canadian. She was so pleased that the farm remained in the
family.
Mom loved having lots of people around and having visitors
stop in for coffee or tea. She loved tulips, having her windows opened
year around, her rosary, fresh berries, lobster, playing competitive
games, word finds, and watching curling, but most of all she loved her
children and grandchildren. She was a very cheerful person who gave
the best hugs, had an excellent sense of humour, and was known for her
witty comebacks.
For the past year and a half, Diny resided at the RK Mac
Donald Nursing Home where she felt very welcome, content, and
safe.
Until her last breath, our Mom and Oma taught us about
positivity, determination, gratitude, perseverance, strength, and
faith. Thank you for your gifts to us.
Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in
C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish.
Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 2:00 in St. Andrew’s
Church, St. Andrews, Reverend Andrew Gillies presiding.
Burial to follow in South River Cemetery.
In Memoriam, donations to L’Arche Antigonish or
CACL Antigonish appreciate.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
A job well done, a life well
lived. Rest in Peace with Dad and
Bernie.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerritdina Diny Vosman 19282018.source
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia