Henrica Gertruda ‘Ricki’ Rooyakkers
Funeral service for the late Henrica Gertruda ‘Ricki’ Rooyakkers, 85, was held January 12 in St. Margaret’s Parish, West Bay Road, with Father Duncan MacIsaac officiating.
Mrs. Rooyakkers died January 7, 2019, in St Martha’s Regional Hospital.
Readers at the funeral Mass were Danita Rooyakkers, Santana Rooyakkers, Adora Rooyakkers and Donald Rooyakkers. Maria Morrison, Gertie Gielen-MacGregor, Cora Hart, Anika Martin and Daniel Hart presented the offertory gifts. Eucharistic minister was Leo Cox.
Pallbearers were Nicholas and Blake Rooyakkers, Daniel and Avery Hart and Theo and Janos Tolnai.
Born March 21, 1933, in Helmond, The Netherlands, she was the eldest of eight children of the late Maria and Johannes van Hoof. She immigrated to Canada after a double wedding with her sister Toos, to best friends, Anthony (Toon) Rooyakkers and Harold Goosens. Their beginnings in Canada saw them living out their first winter in a homemade trailer on the top of Hunters Mountain. Her husband worked lumber-jacking and she cleaned houses. They soon ventured into farming and, with fortitude, perseverance and a strong work ethic, built up a large poultry, dairy and beef farm in Princeville, Cape Breton. In addition to growing the farm business, she grew bountiful flower and vegetable gardens. She was active on St. Margaret’s Parish Council and served on the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Tony; two sons, Martinus Rooyakkers (Donalda MacDonald), Johannes Rooyakkers (Melody Merchant); two daughters, Danita Rooyakkers (Atilla Tolnai), Maria Rooyakkers (David Hart); 14 grandchildren, Katrina, Myles, Casondra (Donald Wilson), Anika, Santana (Chad Rogers), Nicholas, Olivia, Adora and Blake Rooyakkers, Theodore and Janos Tolnai, Daniel, Avery and Cora Hart; five siblings, Truus van Hoof, Maria Verkaar, Jan van Hoof, Martein van Hoof, all of The Netherlands; Toos Goosens, London, Ontario.
She was predeceased by brother, Toon van Hoof; sister, Tiny van Hoof.
Memorial donations may be made to St Mary’s of the Angels Community Hall, St Martha’s Palliative Care or a charity of choice.
Online condolences: www. greensfuneralhome.ca