It is with heavy hearts but fond memories that the family announces the passing of our mother, grandmother (“Oma”), great grandmother and aunt, Ann den Hertog on October 4th in Vancouver.
Ann was born in Voorschoten, the Netherlands, to Marius Smits (1898-1977) and Johanna Maria de Bruin (1902-1995). She had three sisters, Kety, Marian & Rita. After living through the occupation during the Second World War, she married Willem den Hertog (1927-2020) of Gouda. In 1956 they emigrated with great excitement to Canada with their two young children to Edmonton, later moving to Vancouver in 1973.
Ann was a wonderful mother, homemaker and in her new country participated in community activities, attending parent advisory meetings, acquiring her Canadian Grade 12, and volunteering.
Ann’s lifelong passion for reading lead her to become a library assistant, working at both the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Columbia College in Vancouver.
Always resolute in upholding justice and holding governments to account, Ann volunteered untold hours to campaigns, the local NDP riding association in Richmond and the Kitsilano Residents Association and kept herself well-informed of municipal and provincial goings on as a long-time subscriber of the Vancouver Sun newspaper. She wrote letters to officials to suggest practical improvements in various public services.
Ann loved the outdoors and travelling. She and Bill drove all over North America in their beloved camper van and travelled to the Netherlands to visit family and widely though Europe after retirement. She was a wonderful ‘Oma’ as the grandchildren grew up, sharing Dutch traditions and recipes. She was an enthusiastic walker in several local walking groups, and even in her last years living in Crofton Manor, outings to local parks and to Granville Island were something she very much looked forward to.
Ann is survived by her daughter Johanna (Han) den Hertog (Ron Johnson) and son Vincent den Hertog (Laura) and pre-deceased by son Pieter den Hertog (1956-1963). She leaves grandchildren and great grandchildren that meant so much to her: Alex Johnson (Sandy) and their daughter Claire and son Eric, and Kirstin Johnson (Tristan Becker) and their son Theo. She is remembered by the many nephews and nieces in the extended family in the Netherlands and for the warm welcome received by many family visiting over the years.
A special thanks to the wonderful staff and residents of Crofton Manor for their care and friendship for the almost 10 years that Ann lived there.
A small family service will be held in her honour.