Johanna de Vos passed away on November 17, 2023.  She was at peace, having expressed her comfort in the assurance of entering God’s rest before she slipped away in the small hours of the morning, clear and aware and full of spirit to the end.

 

Having just started her 92nd year, Mom lived a full life.  She was a beloved wife, Mom, Oma, Nana, daughter, and sister and although her family is scattered around the globe, she strove to stay in touch, remembering birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates with calls and handmade cards.  She was the treasured wife of the late John de Vos and is lovingly remembered by all of us: David (Alie), Paul (Kinske), Cathy (Bill), Wilma (Rick), Theo (Clara), Bart (Jurrina), Sarah (Chris) and Joanne (Scott). She was also blessed with 33 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and was so pleased to know that three more great grandchildren are on the way.

 

Mom was born in Capelle a/d Ijssel, The Netherlands in 1932.  Her early years were lived during the second world war, which shaped her perspective and resourcefulness until her last days.  She trained and worked as a nurse, and after marrying John, they emigrated to Canada in 1958.  They eventually settled in Sardis (BC) where we were born and raised in the house on Prest Road.  In 1982, they moved to Winnipeg where she’s lived the past 41 years.  After Dad’s passing in 1995, Mom lived on her own until her final month.  While always grateful for support and help from the family and her church family, she was fiercely independent, assuring us in no uncertain terms that she could take care of herself.

 

Mom was an independent thinker and curious about everything.  She followed the news and current events and had a clear point of view which she was willing to share.  At the same time, she had a keen interest in literature, prose, and poetry.   She was a true creative, with a lifelong love of all thing’s textile; weaving, spinning, sewing, and knitting.  

 

She showed her love and care for each of us through this art.  Even in her last months she had set up her large loom and was weaving placemats for her grandchildren.  While she called herself Jacob Two-Two because she often said she had to do things at least twice, her beautiful woven work lives on in our homes as a part of her legacy.

 

Her strength of character, wisdom, faith, and love are examples for all the generations in our family and we will miss her dearly.

 

Private Interment.

 

Service to be held at 2:00pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Redeemer Canadian Reformed Church (15 Bates Avenue).

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The Weaver

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I, the underside.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

~B.M. Franklin

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Johanna’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.