JOHANNA C. VAN GESTEL

Funeral service for the late Johanna C. ‘Joanne’  Van Gestel, 89, R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home, formerly of Antigonish Landing, Antigonish County, was held July 12 in St. Ninian Cathedral, with Father Donald MacGillivray officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Mrs. Van Gestel died July 6, 2019, at the home.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Readers at the funeral Mass were Margaret Van Gestel and Jenna Hadley. Jane Briand, Julia Tregobov and Leah Van Gestel presented the offertory gifts. Music was provided by Margaret MacGregor MacDonald

Pallbearers were Chris Overmars, Holly Van Gestel, Jessie Van Gestel, Anthony Van Gestel, Greg Oicle and Noah Tregobov.

Honorary pallbearers were Opportunity Shop volunteers, Mary Beaton, Brenda MacFarlane, Trudy Kelly, Mein Bekkers, Maria Neary and Siska Bekkers.

Born Dec. 28, 1929 in Best, the Netherlands, she was a daughter of the late Wilhelmus and Oda (Schoemakers) Van den Berk. She immigrated to Canada in 1954, settling in Antigonish with her husband, Tony, where she raised a family of nine children.  She was a dedicated homemaker. She also spent time working in the family business and served a valued role in support of growing the business ventures for the family.  Throughout her life, she enjoyed gardening, playing cards with friends and family, bowling, knitting and travelling with her husband.  Since 1996, she was an active volunteer with the St. Ninian’s Catholic Women’s League and thoroughly enjoyed her time working with the staff at the Opportunity Shop.

She is survived by her eight children, Jenny (Tony) Overmars, Antigonish Landing; Wil (Gail) Van Gestel, Wolfville; Mary Doucette, Timberlea; Joanne (Sandy) Oicle, North Grant; Tony (Jan) Van Gestel, Antigonish Landing; Margie Van Gestel, Calgary; Frank (Joan) Van Gestel, Truro; Helen Van Gestel, Surrey;  26 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Antonius ‘Tony’ Van Gestel; daughter, Suzanne Van Gestel; granddaughter, Vanda Oicle; brother, Johannes Van denBerk; four sisters, Miet Verhoeven, Nelly Timmermans, Mien Schellekens, Delphina Van denVen.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Ninian CWL, Antigonish Food Bank or a charity of choice. 

Online condolences: www.clcurry.com