Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Quebec for funeral details
We announce with great sadness that Clazina (Silvia) Knaapen passed away peacefully with her daughter and son by her side on Monday, August 21, 2023 in Laval, Quebec, at the age of 93 years.
Born February 12, 1930 in the Scheveningen district of the Hague, Netherlands, Silvia was swept off her feet by the love of her life, Egbertus Marinus Knaapen (Bep) whom she met in the bleak days following World War II. Married in 1949, they immigrated to Montreal in 1958 seeking opportunity for their young family and eager to explore their newly adopted country.
Throughout her long and rewarding life, Silvia’s genuine warmth and friendliness put everyone at ease. All who knew her described Silvia as caring and kind, with a dash of fun and she lit up a room with her spirit. She was endlessly generous with her time and energy in creating warm and welcoming environments, and loved to prepare meals for her family over the many years, gathering us together around the kitchen table where she shared stories with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The remarkable matriarch of our family, Silvia was an optimist who successfully faced many life-shaping experiences — from marching village-to-village through ice and bitter temperatures during the infamous Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944-45, to sailing across the Atlantic towards an uncertain future, purchasing her first home and proudly nurturing a strong family.
Silvia worked for many years as a senior accountant at Ayerst McKenna Pharmaceuticals and took early retirement in 1990. Ever restless, she embarked on new adventures and earned her license “La Guilde des Animateurs Professionnels de Dance en Ligne du Quebec” in 1996, allowing her to joyfully teach beginner and advanced line dancing to hundreds of seniors in Saint-Laurent, Cartierville and Chomedey – whilst juggling her duties as the dedicated, longtime President of her condominium where she helped to establish a safe and friendly community.
The only daughter of the late Johannes Dijkhuizen and Jacoba Koning, Silvia was tragically predeceased by her beloved Bep in 1975, and by her two oldest sons, Egbertus Simon Arnoldus (Bert) in 2018 and by Robert in 2022.
Silvia leaves behind family and friends across Canada and the Netherlands – and in the United States and Australia — including her third son Leonard (Carole) and her only daughter and best friend Jacoba (Stephan); Rebecca Davis (Bert’s spouse) and Judy Booker (Robert’s spouse); grandchildren Sandra (Troy); Todd (Kristin); Zara (Skyler); Alexa (Brandon); Deidra; Marissa (Dan); Monica-Clazina; Maximilian; and Nicolas; by 10 great-grandchildren; as well as by her brothers Ton (Marja) and Cees (Heleen) in the Hague, and her extended family in the Netherlands.
Silvia was devoted to her family and they brought her the greatest happiness. Silvia has left a beautiful legacy of love, kindness and caring and we shall all miss her dearly.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Hopital Cité de la Santé in Laval for their compassionate care.
If you wish to honour Silvia, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders MSF or to the Quebec Lung Association.
Funeral Service will be held Wednesday October 11, 2023 @ 13h00.
Followed by a Reception between 14h00 – 16h00.
Yves Legare Funeral Complex located at 1350 Highway 13, Laval, QC, H7X 3W9.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Clazina Knaapen 1930- 2023..
Death notice for the town of: Laval, Province: Quebec
death notice Clazina Knaapen 1930- 2023
mortuary notice Clazina Knaapen 1930- 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Clazina Knaapen 1930- 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
