Obituary of Jurrina Francina Van Doorn

The time has come to say goodbye and safe journey to our family’s matriarch, Jurrina. That she will be sorely missed is an understatement. She is survived by her daughter, Irene (Guy) Knappe; son Frank (Susan) van Doorn; grandchildren Melicia (Lawrence) Yaskow, Steven (Candace) Knappe, Anita (Mike) Layh, and Suzi (Dusty) Dodd; and too many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to mentions, but Jurrina knew them all with great affection.

Jurrina was born in Holland in 1926, and she lived with her family in The Hague during the Second World War. She had numerous Jewish friends who met their demise at the hands of the Nazis, the atrocities of whom she never really recovered. Jurrina never, ever forgot when the Canadians freed Holland from the Nazis, being forever grateful. She met the love of her life, Gerrit, in 1946 and they married five months after meeting each other, before he was sent to Indonesia. He came back a short time later and they began their lives together. In 1958 they, Irene (9) and Frank (2), immigrated to Canada, settling in Calgary, Alberta. In 1964, we all proudly became Canadian citizens. Gerrit retired from the CPR in 1985 and they moved to Victoria, BC for one year and then Qualicum Beach for the next 22 years. When the time came, they purchased a modular home and moved it to Irene and Guy’s farm near Strathmore to be close to Irene (about 80 feet away) in 2008. Jurrina moved in with Irene and Guy three years ago, after the passing of Gerrit, whom she sorely missed.

Now the time has come for her to meet up with him once again, as well as her mom, dad, sister, and two brothers. We just know she will be dancing up a storm, finally, where she wants to be. Thank you “Oma” for everything. You will always be in our hearts.

At this time, we wish to give our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Fanning and his nurse, Michelle, for the kindness and support they showed both mom and dad (and Irene) through the years, and especially through dad’s and mom’s final months here on earth. Also, thanks to the nurses who took such wonderful care of Jurrina during her last 6 days in hospital.

At Jurrina’s special request, there will be no funeral or Celebration of Life, or flowers, please, as she has always known how much she was loved by everyone who knew her while she was here, and that’s what’s most important and always surprised her, and she thanks everyone she met in Strathmore for making her last 10 years so special.

She was truly the end of an era. Love you Mom/Oma.