Obituary for Johanna Emma Van De Poll (Sanger)
Born September 10, 1925, in Batavia, Indonesia. Died December 29, 2022, in West Vancouver, BC.
VAN DE POLL, Johanna Emma (Ankie) passed away peacefully at her own home on December 29, 2022, at 11.29am, with her children at her bedside, extending and receiving love to the time of her passing. In the days leading up to her passing she had special visits with her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren -which were opportunities to share stories and meaningful words. In these visits she would gaze with the utmost love at us all.
Johanna was born in Batavia, Indonesia on Sept. 10, 1925. Her parents, Willem and Stephanie Sanger, made Indonesia their home and Johanna’s two siblings, Hans and Loes, were also born in Indonesia. Johanna’s father, Willem passed away in 1927, and the family soon returned by boat to Arnhem, Netherlands.
Johanna met the love of her life, Gijsbert van de Poll, and they were married in 1951 in Arnhem. In the next several years they nurtured their growing family before embarking on an Atlantic Ocean voyage in 1963 to make Canada their home, where dear family friends, the Gildersleeve’s, welcomed them with open arms.
Johanna was predeceased by her loving husband and a devoted father, Gijsbert van de Poll (1980); her son, Stewart (2013), and her daughter, Mariette (2017). Johanna leaves behind her son, Maurice (wife Denise, children Taylor, Monika); her daughter, Caroline (husband David, children Tristan, Shaun); her daughter, Beatrice (Daryl, child Stephanie), and her son, Reinier (wife Sherri, children Tessa, Logan, Fraser); and her extended family in The Netherlands, and her friends.
We will miss so many things about our mom, our “Oma” our “Ankie”. Her zest for life was so admirable. This zest led her to be a competitive doubles tennis player. This zest has led her on many travels with family and friends to Europe, New Zealand, and Africa. This zest also led her to cheer on the same spirit in her children and grandchildren. She was so enthusiastic about all our adventures and accomplishments. Oma often said that nature is her church. She paused to admire and have her soul filled with the ocean, forests, gardens, and birds. She always was excited to anticipate spring bulbs of snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils greeting her.
Oma was a gamer as she shared moments with us on the scramble board and the backgammon board. Oma was a spectator as she cheered on her grandchildren’s soccer, hockey, and volleyball games; and she rarely missed a tennis grand slam event or a world soccer cup on TV. Oma was a storyteller as she told funny and heartfelt stories of her marriage, parenting, and her teenage years in Nazi occupied Holland.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future for family and close friends at the family home.
VAN DE POLL, Johanna Emma (Ankie) passed away peacefully at her own home on December 29, 2022, at 11.29am, with her children at her bedside, extending and receiving love to the time of her passing. In the days leading up to her passing she had special visits with her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren -which were opportunities to share stories and meaningful words. In these visits she would gaze with the utmost love at us all.
Johanna was born in Batavia, Indonesia on Sept. 10, 1925. Her parents, Willem and Stephanie Sanger, made Indonesia their home and Johanna’s two siblings, Hans and Loes, were also born in Indonesia. Johanna’s father, Willem passed away in 1927, and the family soon returned by boat to Arnhem, Netherlands.
Johanna met the love of her life, Gijsbert van de Poll, and they were married in 1951 in Arnhem. In the next several years they nurtured their growing family before embarking on an Atlantic Ocean voyage in 1963 to make Canada their home, where dear family friends, the Gildersleeve’s, welcomed them with open arms.
Johanna was predeceased by her loving husband and a devoted father, Gijsbert van de Poll (1980); her son, Stewart (2013), and her daughter, Mariette (2017). Johanna leaves behind her son, Maurice (wife Denise, children Taylor, Monika); her daughter, Caroline (husband David, children Tristan, Shaun); her daughter, Beatrice (Daryl, child Stephanie), and her son, Reinier (wife Sherri, children Tessa, Logan, Fraser); and her extended family in The Netherlands, and her friends.
We will miss so many things about our mom, our “Oma” our “Ankie”. Her zest for life was so admirable. This zest led her to be a competitive doubles tennis player. This zest has led her on many travels with family and friends to Europe, New Zealand, and Africa. This zest also led her to cheer on the same spirit in her children and grandchildren. She was so enthusiastic about all our adventures and accomplishments. Oma often said that nature is her church. She paused to admire and have her soul filled with the ocean, forests, gardens, and birds. She always was excited to anticipate spring bulbs of snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils greeting her.
Oma was a gamer as she shared moments with us on the scramble board and the backgammon board. Oma was a spectator as she cheered on her grandchildren’s soccer, hockey, and volleyball games; and she rarely missed a tennis grand slam event or a world soccer cup on TV. Oma was a storyteller as she told funny and heartfelt stories of her marriage, parenting, and her teenage years in Nazi occupied Holland.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future for family and close friends at the family home.