Vanrooy, Ann

“Only there can love dwell. Only there is life sweet, where one quietly and spontaneously does everthing for one another.”

Like the swan who mates for life, Ann VanRooy, age 94, died naturally with a broken heart on Dec 30th, 2018, just 3 weeks after the death of her husband of 70 years. In her last days Ann was attended by her beloved daughter, son, grandson, great grandchildren, in-laws, the caring staff, volunteers and friends at Mountain Lake Seniors Community in Nelson.

Ann (Johanna Theresa), was one of 11 children born to Johanna and Josephus Wolters on Feb 4th, 1924 in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands.  A teenager during the war, Ann attended Home Economics school, worked in an antique store, a dentist office, and cared for children until she married John (VanRooy) in 1948 and they began raising their own family.

In 1953, she reluctantly waved goodbye to her mother and many siblings and sailed to Canada by way of “De Waterman”, landing in Halifax Harbour with her husband and two small boys. Together they rode the train to Toronto where they settled in to a whole new Canadian way of life. Ann soon learned to speak, read and write in English without any education in the subject. A daughter was born 4 years later.

Packing became a practiced art for Ann as she and her small family moved from house to house following her husband’s career path all around Lake Ontario, on both sides of the border. After he retired, they would migrate to Florida every winter for 30 years, even from Kimberley, BC, and later from Balfour where they eventually settled.

Ann is warmly remembered by her family and many friends as being fond of sewing, quilt making, knitting, dancing, walking, shopping, traveling and playing cards. She had a great sense of humor, was an outstanding cook, loved to host parties, always optimistic and easy going, and she loved her family passionately and unconditionally. One of her favorite songs was “The Rose” and the Dutch song “In Je Ogen Staat Geschreven”.

Throughout her long, healthy life Ann made trips to Holland and Chile to maintain a close bond with her siblings. She also traveled to many other parts of Europe, the Mediterranean, Alaska and all across Canada and the US. She is survived by her sons, Bill and Joe, her daughter Susan, 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces in the Netherlands, and many extended family including beloved in-laws and friends in Canada and the US. She is predeceased by her 10 siblings and her grandson, Leon Carr, and will be sorely missed by all of us.

Her family gathered around her on the day of her passing and Ann was cremated on Jan 4th.  Mountain Lake Seniors Community will host a Celebration of Life that will include Ann (and John) on Thursday, January 10th at 11:00 am. All are welcome to attend.

Family and friends may send pictures, written memories, good stories, and interesting family history to: gbyejvr18@gmail.com in preparation for an early summer time of sharing and placement of Ann’s (and John’s) ashes.

Thank you to the caring staff at Mountain Lake, Dr Janz, and all friends and family who have crossed paths with Ann during her life.

“Just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, lies a seed, that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes a rose.”