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JOHANNA (ANN) ADRIANA DE GRAAF ((MEIJER))
Born: Oct 25, 1936
Date of Passing: Dec 14, 2020
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
JOHANNA (ANN) ADRIANA DE GRAAF
(nee MEIJER)
October 25, 1936 - December 14, 2020
She was predeceased by her parents, Johan and Itjis, and brother Jan, as well as her
husband of 59 years Hendrik (Henk) de Graaf.
She will be lovingly remembered by her son Rolf (Cara), son Milco (Joceline),
daughter Mariska (Allan Claydon) and son Gordon, as well as her treasured grand-children, Matthew, Jeremy (Carlee), and Christopher de Graaf, and Corey and Cassidy Claydon. She also leaves many special friends, neighbours and co-workers.
Ann had an interesting and sometimes
difficult life journey, yet those who knew her would only see her ever pleasant personality. She was born and living in Indonesia during the war, where her father passed away in a concentration camp in 1945, resulting in her emigrating to The Netherlands with her mom and brother. Her mother passed away from cancer while Ann was still only a teenager. It was there that she met Henk, got married in 1959 and began raising a family. With three young children they made the move all the way to Flin Flon, Manitoba where they
resided for a few years and had their fourth child. Relocating to Winnipeg in 1969, Transcona eventually became Ann's
community and she worked for Woolco and Walmart for many years until retirement, managing the men's wear department and
resulting in no shortage of socks and underwear for her boys!
Ann will be missed by her grandchildren for her long phone conversations and supersized dessert portions (even if you asked for small) and the everlasting love she showed them. She was a great mom, grandmother, and had the most amazing green thumb. Her plants and flowers always
flourished and looked beautiful. She had a great sense of humour and loved re-runs of Three's Company. Universally liked because of her considerate and welcoming nature, her children's friends always commented on her kindness.
Mom was diagnosed with dementia and hospitalized in late 2016, entering supportive housing at Windsor Park Place in early 2017, and Park Manor Care Home in 2019. She overcame both appendicitis and then Covid over the last several months.
The family would like to thank all of mom's wonderful physicians, nurses, health care aides, social workers and other care home staff that helped her so much over the last several years. Thank you also to Season's Funeral Home for their care and support.
A private family memorial will take place next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ann's name to the Alzheimer
Society of Manitoba.
Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences and share memories by visiting Johanna's memorial page at seasonsfunerals.ca
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2020
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Mariska & Family, I am so very sorry to hear of you Mother’s passing. I actually remember your Mom working at Woolco when I was a teenager! My thoughts are with you! - Posted by: Sharon McLaughlin (Friend) on: Dec 21, 2020
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Mariska and family Sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. Our thoughts are with you all. Your mom was such a sweet, caring and loving person. Always remember seeing her a at Woolco and Walmart, we would have many little chats. Bless her lovely soul💕 Take care🌸 Love; Carolyn Maeren and family - Posted by: Carolyn Maeren (Friend of Mariska (grew up together on Bayview Drive)) on: Dec 20, 2020
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I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the de Graaf family. I know what a rock your Mom was with all of you and I know your missing her. She was such a warm, kind, caring person truly one of a kind. She wasn't large in stature but she was very strong, I think most of her was made up with heart. I met Mom in 1988 and from that first day I was accepted into there home and not once did I ever feel unwelcomed, it felt just like home. Ann made it that way. As a matter of fact in those days Mariska and I were car pooling to work and when I picked Mariska up in the morning she had a brown paper bag with her, Ann had started making me lunch everyday, this went on for quite awhile and one day I mentioned to Mariska that even though I appreciated those home made lunches I felt there wasn't enough meat on them. So Mariska mentioned this to Ann and instead of Ann saying "let him make his own sandwiches" she went ahead and added more meat. That's who she was, always giving. I was so fortunate and grateful to have Ann in my life, the way she looked after us, I truly couldn't of hand picked a better Mother in Law. Rest in Peace Mamasan and Thank You! Love Allan - Posted by: Allan Claydon (Son in Law) on: Dec 20, 2020
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So very sorry for your loss Milco and Jocelyn and your families. I will be thinking of you during these sad times. Tan - Posted by: Tannis Coleman (Friend of children ) on: Dec 20, 2020
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