Henriette (Henny) Elisabeth LeBarge passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2024 in Vancouver, BC at the age of 94.
Henny was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands to parents Antonius and Hendrika Gartsen. Despite the challenges of growing up in war-torn Holland, Henny always managed to live life to the fullest with her older sister Grace and younger sister Riki. Near the end of the war, Henny met and married a Canadian soldier Ted LeBarge and soon emigrated to Canada. Like many in that huge influx of European immigrants post-war, Henny and Ted settled in Toronto, Ontario. Many of her family members followed.
After Ted’s death, Henny eventually met a second partner, Harry Murray, with whom she spent many years. They shared a deep love of music and dance. During these years, Henny was a highly active and successful travel agent, exploring exotic locales in every corner of the globe. Henny and Harry moved to Vancouver in the late’70’s, where her outgoing personality and enviable sense of style made her a fixture in the local travel industry, leading to many long lived friendships.
Henny’s legacy includes her children, Suzanne, Donald, Jennefer and Bud. All treasure their Dutch heritage and have fond memories of growing up in a boisterous and closely-knit extended family who loved regular visits to the Holland Supermarket for all their favourite Dutch treats.
Henny will also be missed and remembered by her grandchildren Geoff, Joe, Rosie and Rita and her siblings Tony, Fred and Henrietta. Henny is predeceased by sisters Grace and Riki and brother Billy.
We will always love and miss you, Mum!
A celebration of Henny’s life will be held this summer.
Please share your memories, a picture or note in memory of Henny, via the condolences discussion below.