Conny VandenHoven passed away the first weekend of March 2024 at C.E.E. Hospital, surrounded by love from family and friends.
Conny was the proud mother of Melanie, Cynthia and Arlene VandenHoven. Oma to Zachary and Calvin, and Josephine. She was predeceased by her parents George and Mathilde Hurkens and brother Jack Hurkens. She left behind her brothers Jim, John, Jeffrey and sister, Henny Hurkens, all in the Netherlands. She was ‘Tante Conny’ to many nieces and nephews. She was also an educator and a longtime friend to many in Petrolia and around the world.
Conny was born in Indonesia to Dutch-Indonesian parents. She was proud of her heritage and upbringing in Java, despite her childhood in a harsh internment camp during WWII. In her teenage years, Conny migrated to Almelo, Holland, with her family, where she trained to be a kindergarten teacher and principal. In 1969, she married Bill VandenHoven in the Netherlands, who brought her to Canada to live in Sarnia, Ontario. They moved to Petrolia to raise their three daughters. Conny was well known in the community as an Educational Assistant at St. Philip’s Catholic School in Petrolia, St. Joseph’s in Corunna, Holy Rosary in Wyoming, and St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Sarnia. Many of her former students remembered Conny well.
Conny loved people. Her favourite people were those who enjoyed conversation, and listening to her unique life experiences, and, especially those who would eat ‘nasi goreng, krupuk shrimp chips and her infamous strawberry sauce with her!
She also enjoyed painting, playing educational games and participating in Petrolia life as her health would allow. She especially was dedicated to preserving the history of the Asian front of WWII so that it would never be forgotten, lest it be repeated.
We will cherish the vast international experiences and important life lessons of our Conny forever. Her daughters will continue to carry on the legacy and pride in their Dutch-Indonesian heritage and culture.
Conny's three daughters, wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the utmost care and kindness extended to their mother by the nursing and medical teams of C.E.E. Hospital. We also wish to recognize and give thanks to the devoted VON nurses, personal service workers and other community members who allowed her to live comfortably and independently for many years in her “Senang Hati” happy home. We appreciate all who helped Conny maintain her enjoyment of her home and community for as long as her health and spirit allowed. Good people made Conny smile and you all did that!
A memorial mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 11:00 am from St. Philips Parish, 415 King St., Petrolia, followed by a memorial gathering at the parish hall. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made in her memory to C.E.E. Hospital Foundation (www.ceehf.ca).
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