Angela Duivesteyn Johansen

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. Angela Johansen was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Angela was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Angela knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Angela was born on July 21, 1966 at Port Perry Hospital in Port Perry, Ontario. Her parents were Anthony and Margaret Duivesteyn. Angela was raised in Blackstock, Ontario. Even as a youngster, Angela learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Angela was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Angela was raised with 5 siblings. She had 3 brothers, Peter, Ivan and Anthony and two sisters, Linda and Karen. Angela had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Angela, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

In school, Angela was a logical and focused thinker. Angela was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Angela’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from Cartwright High School in 1985. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Angela’s practical work ethic carried over into her college years. Her logical mind permitted her to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. She would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving on to the next project. Angela’s orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that helped her stay on track . She earned her Business Diploma.

Angela was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Angela was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Angela came to expect her high standards of performance. She developed a friendship during high school with Lisa and they continued their friendship until the end. Lisa was Angela’s matron of honour. Later in life, she became friends with Nancy and just last year was in her bridal party. Cynthia, Pete’s sister quickly became a close friend as well.

An objective and conscientious individual, Angela reveled in the security of her family. On June 22, 1996 Angela exchanged wedding vows with Peter Johansen at the Emmanuel Reformed Church of Whitby, Ontario. Peter and Lynda Johansen welcomed Angela and were a good support, often taking Angela to appointments They loved to have their grandsons come for overnight visits. One of Angela’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Angela was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Angela would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Angela was blessed with two children, two sons, Justis and Devan.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Angela was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Angela was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Angela upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was an Insurance Adjuster. She was employed for Aviva Insurance for over 20 years. Angela was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Angela approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were dancing, baking, cross stitching, event planning and going to the movies. Angela was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Another favourite past time was bargain hunting. She loved a good sale and would enthusiastically tell everyone about the latest deal she got.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Angela to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. She also was something of a sports fan especially when it came to watching her son’s play hockey. She was an enthusiastic hockey Mom.

Angela loved to laugh and loved a good joke even if she was the butt of the joke. She loved to tease and be teased by her nephews, in particular Ian. All her nephews strived to make her laugh.

Angela was a hugger and she willingly gave and therefore received hugs by all. Even in the last week of her life she asked for a second round of hugs from her nephews.

Pete, Justis and Devan never failed to greet Angela with I love you.

Angela had the most beautiful smile and everyone tried to make her smile just to be able to see it.

She loved life and unless asked never complained about her illness. She often tried to make others feel better about HER illness.

After her mastectomy she jokingly said she would have to be careful she didn’t walk in circles now that she was so lopsided. She resembled her brother Ivan after losing her hair to chemo and that too became a standing joke.

Being generous with her time and energy, She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. In high school, Angela was a member of the Drama Club.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Angela used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. Favorite vacations included going to Dave's cottage in Dorset.

Angela was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Angela’s favorites was Milo, a beagle mix. Up till Angela was ill, Milo was “Pete’s” dog. After she became ill he transferred his loyalty to Angela. He became very protective of her. They were best friends and Milo spent many hours snuggled next to Angela. Her family was rounded out by her border collie Zeph and a pet snake.

Angela passed away on August 31, 2012 at Lakeridge Health Hospital, Bowmanville. She fought a brave battle against angiosarcoma, a rare blood vessel cancer, which has no known cure. She was first diagnosed 6 years ago and had a mastectomy to remove the growth. It reoccurred earlier this year. She tried chemo and radiation in hopes to slow down the cancer but it was too aggressive to overcome. She is survived by her husband Pete, her sons Justis and Devan, her parents, brothers and sisters, Pete's parents and her sister in law. Services were held at Emmanuel Reformed Church, Whitby, Ontario on September 8th. Angela was laid to rest in Pine Grove Cemetery, Prince Albert, Ontario.

All who knew her would agree that Angela lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Angela Johansen did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Even during her illness she thought of ways to help others. She had her beautiful hair cut long before she would have lost it to chemo so it could be donated to make wigs for other cancer victims. She asked months before her passing that all her belongings be given to charities that would help others. Even after passing Angela gave of herself. She wanted to donate all her organs but due to the advanced stage of cancer she was only able to donate her corneas giving the gift of sight to 2 people. That was Angela!

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JOHANSEN, Angela – at Lakeridge Health Corporation, Bowmanville on Friday August 31, 2012, at the age of 46. Beloved wife of Pete. Loving mother of Justis and Devan. Loved daughter of Tony and Margaret Duivesteyn and daughter-in-law of Peter and Lynda Johansen. Dear sister of Peter (Susan), Linda (Dave), Ivan (Sonya), Karen (Hugh) and Anthony (Rita) and sister-in-law of Cindy Johansen-Brito. Angela will be greatly missed by her aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and her many friends. Angela will be resting at the COURTICE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1587 Highway #2, Courtice (905-432-8484) where the family will receive friends on Friday September 7th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 401 Rossland Road West, Whitby on Saturday September 8th at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations to an education fund set up for Justis and Devan would be appreciated (please make cheques payable to Anthony Duivesteyn, put "Johansen Education Trust Fund" in memo portion of cheque)