April 4, 1923 - March 2, 2021
It is with great sadness, the family of Johanna Adriana Hilhorst (nee Rap) announce her passing, one month before her 98th birthday. She passed at The Views in Comox, March 2, 2021 of natural causes. Johanna was the beloved wife of the late Jan (John) Hilhorst who died June 14, 1957.
Johanna is lovingly remembered by her children, Anne Caroline (Ed), Bartjohn (Lee-Anne), Peter (Linda), and Angela. Johanna is also the beloved Grandmother to the late Christine (2017) and John (Nicole) and Great-Grandmother to Harper and Dawson.
Johanna was deeply devoted to and loved her four children and their families all of her life. She was always overjoyed to be together and share celebrations, activities and love. Johanna made everyone feel special with her laughter and stories. She will be very much missed by us all.
Johanna was born in Holland and resided there throughout World War II, after which she married Jan Hilhorst, moved to Indonesia, then back to Holland and on to Canada in 1952. Four years after arriving in Canada, her husband, Jan, became ill with an aggressive form of cancer and passed away at age 34 leaving Johanna with four young children to raise on her own.
With determination to live the dream that she and her husband started in Canada, Johanna opened a daycare centre, "The Playpen", in her home, to make ends meet. She was so successful at it, she was eventually offered a position with the Ontario Government, retiring as a Early Childhood Education Consultant.
Throughout her life, Johanna was highly active in tennis often competing and winning. She spread her enthusiasm and volunteered by teaching Juniors during the summers. Later, when her eyesight began to fail, she switched to Track & Field where she competed at the BC Senior Games and The World Masters often winning Gold and setting records.
Johanna gave back to her community as a Peer Counselor for 19 years and then as a volunteer with the Therapeutic Gardens.
Johanna Adriana has been an inspiration to her children, her extended family and to many, many others! When Asked about her secret to a long life she would say "Just keep moving!"
The last few months of Johanna's life were spent at The Views in Comox. We are very grateful for the kind and compassionate care she received from Dr. Susan Hunter and all the staff there. A celebration of Johanna's life will be scheduled at a later date when the family can be together.
Please join us in remembering Johanna by visiting our memorial at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com