Antonia Den Boer

Remembering

Antonia Maria den Boer

August 14, 1924— July 30, 2022

A few weeks before her 98th birthday, Antonia den Boer (nee Broeders) passed away peacefully and gracefully surrounded by family, after a brief and caring stay at Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice.

Hers was a diverse and spirited life – one she shared with the love of her life, her husband Peter. From the very year she immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in 1949 after the liberation of their homeland, Peter and Antonia (Tonia) were joined in spirit. Through pure courage and steadfast determination, side by side with Peter and, in time, with her six children, she was driven to succeed to build a new life.

Born in Oosterhout, in the province of North Brabant, growing up in the 20s and 30s in pre-war Europe, our mother was an accomplished haute couture seamstress, and grew up in a successful farming business in Oosterhout. So, she found herself as comfortable with the feel of soil between her fingers in the garden as with the myriad fabrics those same fingers crafted into clothing designs. She was known to be a passionate perfectionist in every way, and an enthusiastic conversationalist about current events.  It was her garden that Toni enjoyed most, taking great pride when her neighbours would stop and pause to ask her about it.

Our father, Peter, passed away in 1996. In his memory she remained in their beautiful home up to the few last days of her life: it had been their mutual desire that she do so. Antonia was very proud of her family. She is survived by Abigail (Russell) Corbett, Mary (Norman Shogilev) Raquin, Jackie (Mark) Singer, Margaret (Ross) Gravelle, Thomas (Deborah) den Boer and Patricia (Lindsay Legault) den Boer; and, 12 grandchildren, Raymond (Jennifer) Corbett, Anthony Corbett, James Corbett, and Matthew (Erica) Corbett; Leigh (Mark) McCullough, Lauren DeGrazia (Dominic) and Jonathan (Elizabeth Zanley) Singer; Amanda den Boer and Peter (Abby) den Boer; Richard (Erin) Gravelle, Adam (Maeghan Gapp) Gravelle and Philip Gravelle; and 17 great-grandchildren at last count.

Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to join the den Boer family at a Funeral Mass to be held at 10:00 am on Friday, August 12, 2022, at St Patrick’s Basilica, 220 Kent Street, Ottawa.

Yet, a life so well lived also deserves a gathering of heartfelt remembrance and praise. Please join us as we celebrate our mother’s life on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 2:00pm at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean (between Bayshore & Baseline). The occasion will be followed by refreshments in a garden setting: a space our mother would have enjoyed and delighted in.

Donations may be made to the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice, 110 McCurdy Drive, Kanata.