Gerrie den Hollander
1934-2020
Gerrie (Verhey) den Hollander (85) passed away peacefully in
Northwood Centre, Halifax on Friday, April 17, 2020.
Born in Schiedam, Holland she was the daughter of the late
Gilbert and Gerrie Verhey. She immigrated to Canada through Pier 21
with her parents and siblings after World War II. The
family’s move for a better life was inspired by her brother,
John Verhey.
In her earlier years she was a seamstress and later provided
childcare in her home for a number of children. She had a deep love
for children. She spent many Sundays at Hillside Wesleyan Church
caring for the infants and toddlers in the nursery. This gave the
children a familiar face, which was so important to
her.
She was predeceased by the love of her life, Reverend John
den Hollander, Sr. She was a dedicated spouse and together they shared
in raising their children, woodworking, gardening and pastoral
ministry.
Gerrie and John lived in Halifax/Dartmouth raising their 4
children. After their children had grown, she and John entered into
pastoral ministry. They packed up and moved to pastor in Lower
Brighton, NB and then later on to Digby, NS. When the grandchildren
visited and attended church with them, you could be sure she would
reach deep into her purse and pull out mint after mint for the
duration of the service. After church, her dining table was usually
full with family or friends where she served a delicious meal and made
sure everyone had a full belly. We cannot forget the sweets and tea or
coffee that would follow! Gerrie had a sweet tooth like no one else!
She loved to bake and she loved to have a sweet treat with her tea or
coffee. A family favorite is her Dutch Butter Cake and Ollie Bollies.
Her sweet tooth lasted into her senior years, and her face lit up when
your visit was accompanied by sweets.
Gerrie was always baking a homemade loaf of bread. Bread and
homemade strawberry jam was a favorite. When the parents
weren’t looking, she would feed the grandkids homemade bread
with butter and sugar sprinkled on top. And it was always followed by
a small glass of ginger ale.
She would play with each grandchild and great grandchild when
they visited. She always had a game for them to play. Some of the
favorites were Monopoly, UNO, Sorry and Tiddlywinks. She loved to
play, tease and laugh like she was one of the children. These special
and memorable times always ended in belly laughs and tears of joy. As
the great grandchildren started to come along, she would pull out a
basket of toys. A couple toys in particular were known by all of them,
Gumby and the handmade monkey.
Gerrie worked alongside John for their first build from the
ground up, a home in Digby. She could be found operating the power
tools (with great pride), and whatever job needed to be done, she was
up to the task. After retirement, they moved to Waterville where they
built their second home. In the backyard, she could be found teaching
a few of the grandkids how to use stilts!
Gerrie loved to do handiwork. She spent many hours teaching
her grandchildren how to sew, crochet, knit and cross stitch. Her
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were deeply loved. She
was so proud of each and every one. She enjoyed every visit and prayed
for them continually. She would tell them how she prayed for them
while she crocheted or knit a special gift for them.
The health and well being of her family were so important to
her. She was so happy to have so many beautiful and healthy
grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always expressed
this.
She was loved very much by her family. She was small in
stature but mighty. She had the strongest hug and a huge heart. She
had many worries but always took them to God in prayer.
Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning
I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times
of trouble
Gerrie is finally where she wanted to be; with Jesus and
John. Well done my good and faithful servant. Here’s to reuniting with
John, your children gone before you, your siblings and we know there’s
a wonderful welcome in Heaven.
She was also predeceased by a daughter, Wilma and two sons,
Paul and James, all in infancy ; siblings, Gilbert Verhey, William
(Bill) van der Horden, Connie van der Horden, and Bastiaan van der
Horden.
She is survived by sons Gerald (Nancy), Daniel (Sylvia),
Reverend John (Cindy) and daughter Marilyn den Hollander, 10
grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.
Gerrie is also survived by the following siblings; Hank van
der Horden (Ottawa); Kaatje Materman (Ottawa); John (Donna) Verhey
(Ottawa); Albert (Deanna) Verhey (Ottawa); Ralph (Barb) Verhey
(Ottawa); and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation
to the staff of Northwood Centre, Halifax Campus for their loving
care, and for the many people who visited, prayed for and supported
her.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to White Family
Funeral Home, Kentville. A private graveside committal will be held at
the Canard Burial Ground, Kings Co.
Memorial donations in memory of Gerrie may be made to:The
Gideon’s International in Canada PO Box 3619 Stn Main,
Guelph, ON N1H 9Z9
One day as she was singing “I love Him better
everyday” she turned and asked “Do you?”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerrie den Hollander 19342020..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia