Obituary of Jennie Vanderwood

Joukje van der Woude “Jennie Vanderwood” Jennie Vanderwood went to be with her Lord on January 2, 2015 while at Ridge Meadows Hospital. She is survived by her loving children Agnes, Betty (Steve), John (Judy), Rita (Steve), grandchildren Craig, Corey (Tina), Miranda (Justin), Barbara (Don), Angela, Adam (Charlene), Tamara, Laura (Shawn), Mark, Katie and great grandchildren Kadin, Marissa, Ethan and Aubrey, as well as nephews and nieces. Family in Holland include four sisters-in-law and numerous nephews and nieces. Jennie is predeceased by her firstborn son, her loving husband of 62 years, Hendrik (Henry) van der Woude, and all her six brothers and three sisters. Jennie was born on October 19, 1918 in Opende, The Netherlands. She was the third of 10 children to parents Akke and Tjeerd van der Tuin. From a young age, she had to work as a housekeeper, a dairy maid and a nurse’s aide to support her siblings and mother. During that time period, she met her future husband, Henry, and they were married on May 3, 1948. They immigrated to Canada on July 1, 1949 and settled in Winnipeg, where they had three children. In 1954, they moved to Pitt Meadows and later to Haney, where their youngest child was born. Jennie was devoted to her family and she was first and foremost a homemaker. Jennie and Henry travelled back to Holland on many occasions to visit family and also made trips to Spain, Mexico and Hawaii. Jennie travelled with her children to Banff and Mexico, and celebrated her 95th birthday in Phoenix, Arizona. Her last big trip was to Israel in April 2014. She was able to attend the weddings of three of her grandchildren, Corey (Tina), Adam (Charlene) and Laura (Shawn), and celebrated the births of two of her great grandchildren, Kadin and Aubrey. Her Christian faith and family were most important in her life. Jennie enjoyed listening to Christian music, especially on her new ipod, and watching Christian TV programs. She took great pleasure in gardening and relaxing on her lawn chair. Jennie was admitted to the Ridge Meadows Hospital on October 19th, 2014 and spent her last days there in the Alouette Rehab and PATH units. On Christmas day she was able to come home and spend time with her family, which was her last wish. She went to her eternal home on the evening of January 2nd. Jennie’s family would like to thank the Nursing, RT and OT staff at the Ridge Meadows Hospital and Home Support staff for their kind and compassionate care. Funeral services were provided by Garden Hill Funeral Home and the Memorial Service was held at the Maple Ridge Christian Reformed Church, officiated by Pastor Tim Sheridan, on Thursday January 8, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Vision Canada or Plan Canada (schooling for girls).