To all the family of Annie

Our deepest condolences to you all in this sad time. 
We pray that Jesus holds you close always.  
Love Charlie and Annette Schilthuis 

Our deepest condolences. It was a blessing that I saw her a few days before she past away through facetime with my father, her oldest brother. We wish you all a lot of strength. 
Jan-Willem, Astrid & Esmée de Waal-Strating

As a young girl I walked by Annie's house everyday. going to school in the Acasiastraat where Annie lived.  I knew of the  Family  but did not know them personally.  Later here in Canada Annie and I met briefly and we shared how her Father and my Father had cut a tree  from het Middenpad during the War. That tree was half cut and ended up in our small hallway in our house on the Laan van Meerdervoort and was later divided between her and our family. My dad had the butcher shop  and so our ways crossed here and there.  I was Arda Kulsdom and Annie was a Strating. 

Dear family members of Annie, 

I live at Wellingstone and have known Annie for many years.
Her happy smile was always welcome. She tried to come to our Hymn Sing evening every Wednesday, was the first person to show up. If Annie wasn't there we wondered what happened.
May you all be comforted.as you grieve .You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love ann zandberg

Annie:   How I will miss that smile!   You were such a joy to be with!  Coincidentally  I would bump into you at various stores  while you were with your daughter , Pauline and Jake .    You would invite me for coffee at The  Resource  Store!  Aah, but you would not mince words when you felt it was appropriate!  I loved that about you!      You will be missed my friend.  You are with Jesus!   
Joanne Joosse 

I would like to extend my condolences to the Struik family during this especially difficult time.  I am a member at Immanuel and I have memories of my parents and your parents getting together at each others houses for coffee after church. I hope you will feel God's peace at this difficult time

Memories ... during the 1950 - 1960's  - Mrs, Struik's pleasant higher octive voice was heard calling her children home from her side door - calling mostly girls names  who were in the backyard at play.  It was her  voice that came across the highly vined, flowering fence between our backyards.  

Your Mom will be so missed at Immanuel.  Her style and grace greeted us each Sunday morning.  She was a special lady.  
Sending prayers for comfort and encouragement to all.  So sorry we could not be there to support you in tangible ways.  

To Annie's children. Since I didn't speak with all of you I want to express my sympathy to all of you. She will leave a large empty spot in your lives, especially her daughters in Hamilton, as she was so often with you and did lots of things with you. Admired you the way you looked after Your Mom. Your Mom and I  have been friends for a long time. Many memories! 
The service went very well under these sad times. Wishing you the Lord's comfort.
Love, Sari

Praying for you!  I had the most delightful time getting to know Annie, your Mom, Oma and great-grandmother during my visits with her as I served as pastoral elder for Immanuel.  Thank you for livestreaming the service so that I could pray for you all and thank God for her life.  As you noted repeatedly, she loved her family very much and she often narrated stories that showed her family was her greatest joy and gift...often noting those that she wanted me to pray for because she wanted each person to grow stronger in their faith in Him.   May God comfort you and assure you of His everlasting presence and love for you!

Ida and James Mutoigo & family (Violet, Bryant and Angela)

My sincere condolences to your family during this difficult time.  Her presence at Immanuel will be missed.  May you look to Him for comfort and strength.

Anne teGrotenhuis 



Dear Henri and family,
Sincere condolences with the passing of your mom.  Spending time at your house when we were growing up, I got to know your mother.   Your dad and you kids, meant everything to her.  She sure was an excellent seamstress too.  I ran into her not too long ago and we had a really nice chat.  Losing your mom during this crazy time is so difficult also.  Thinking of you all.
Hugs
Henri and Fred Veldman

Annie was a very thoughtful lady.   She invited me to sit with her during church services  when I was still fairly new to the church.
She called if she had not seen me in church and when I had been
on holidays.  She spoke often of her family and the good times they all had together.  She will be missed, most especially on Sunday mornings when I sit on our pew.  God bless her and her family.
My deepest sympathy.

Baptismal song,

With this poem, written by myself, i would have encouraged Annie in the days before her passing away. Our God brought her home is his fathers house.
Now, i want it to be posted in the "In memorial" from the Netherlands. May it comfort you and be a encouragement for al her children and there families.

Sister/ Aunt Jantina


Dear Rick, Henri, Joanne, Pauline & John, 

My sincere condolences to you and your families on the passing of your dear Mom/Oma.  Although I could not be with you at the celebration of her life, I was with you in spirit, watching live from home.  It was a lovely service and I know she would be so proud of you all.    

Praying God's continued comfort over each of you and may the memories you hold dear, bring strength to you in the coming days.  

Love and hugs to you all, 
Your cousin Charlotte (Struik) Olmsted  

Thanks for sharing the video of your moms memorial service.
Our deepest condolences to you all.
Annie will be missed in Immanuel church.
She was a very dear member and showed much love to everyone.

Your memorial service was a wonderful tribute to your mother.  Such a wonderful way to honor her memory.  Peace and blessings
 to all of you.

Linda Eccles

Our deepest sympathy for the whole family. Annie was amazing woman. Always happy and ready to spread a good wishes to everyone around her. Her passion for travel was amazing. We were always looking for her story from her last trip.  She will always be in our harts and we will always look for her " red car" in Pauline and Jake's driveway. 

I worked with Annie at the old Bibles for Missions Thrift Store and she was a sweet, friendly and very cheerful lady.
I enjoyed working with her and I am glad that I had the opportunity to know her for a short time.

May God Bless Her !!!

Dear Family, 
Annie was such a wonderful volunteer at Mission Thrift Store Hamilton (formerly Bibles For Missions Thrift Store).   She came in faithfully every Monday afternoon.  She shared with me lots of stories and various other neat tidbits of information that brought a smile to my face.  May God comfort you through this time of loss but know she is with her loving Saviour Jesus Christ....

In prayer,
Mission Thrift Store Hamilton Family

When I lived in Hamilton, your Mother was part of our Monday morning coffee group at McDonald's.  We occupied the Play Place because I think we were louder than the kids.  I even visited once in Edmonton sometime between 5-10 years ago, where we met for coffee at the West Edmonton Mall with my daughter-in-law and granddaughter.  
Annie was a strong independent lady who didn't let a little thing like getting older, stop her from doing anything.  She was well known for her sewing skills and I still remember her apartment being so charming and comfy (gezellig).  We were able to watch the service and know you are comforted that she is now with her Lord and Saviour.

Rick, Henri, Joanne, Pauline and John,

My condolences to you all on the passing away of your mother. I have so many fond memories of spending time at your home when I was young. You have always been part of our family and your mother was a dear friend to my mother. I pray that God will be a comfort to you all during this time.
Barbara Schouls Deblois

Beautiful celebration of Annie's life!  Tributes by all of you, well 
done.  Strong, loving family.   
Have fond memories of her coming along on several ski days to Ellicotteville and a trip to Vermont.  
Remember Dino telling her that we were honorary Dutch, that the "Van" was just at the end of our name rather than the beginning.
She found that quite amusing :) 
Condolences,  Tammy and Dino, Ivana, Althea Camposilvan 

Dear Rick, Henri, Joanne, Pauline & John...

I want to express my deepest condolences with the loss of your Mom...may God grant you comfort and strength during this difficult time.  I was very happy to be able to join in with you all for the funeral service...

Diana (Schouls) Horst

Dear Family:
Thank you so much for sharing the video link so that we could watch you, as a family, honor your mother and grandmother in such a wonderful way.  I know that she will be missed, but "the fork in her hand" image is hopefully one you can take some comfort from.  John and Eileen, one of our fondest memories was with you and Mrs Struik and us sitting on your back deck on a warm June evening when the sun just did not want to set, visiting with your mom, playing "dutch bingo" and debating the pros and cons of the East vs the West... pretty sure we convinced her that the "West was Best".... NOT!
Brian and Linda Piers

Sending to you our sympathies with the passing of your dear mom and grand mom!!  May God extend you each a generous measure of His hope and comfort!  Sending hugs, with this message, in this season of grief!  Al and Katie Karsten


Mrs. Struik,

Funny, positive, kind and helpful.

She made my bridesmaids dresses with ease...almost 40 years ago.

She created a very loving family.

I enjoyed the live stream, thank you for making that available to us.

Sending our prayers and hugs 

She will be missed but she lived a life of love.

Sue and John Todd

So sorry for your loss.
I so much appreciated your mom visiting my mom over the last number of years. This definitely was her gift. 
May the Lord be your comfort during this time. 

Joanne and John,
We were saddened to hear that your mother passed away.
We pray that God will surround you with his love at this difficult time.
May the memories you share of your Mom be a comfort to you and your family.
Thinking of you,
Gert and Jack Herrewynen 

Dear Rick, Henry, Joanne, Pauline and John: 
Just want to let you know that we will be joining you today as you celebrate the life and grieve the loss of your dear mother. Our hearts go out to you all. 
With all our love, 
cousin Lydia

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.  May you all experience comfort in knowing that your mom was loved and will be missed.

Sylvia (Van Eyk) van Wyngaarden

Dear Pauline and Henriette
I’m sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. My deepest condolences to the entire family. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time of loss. May loving memories bring you peace, comfort and strength. 


Our sincere condolences to all the family in the loss of your mother and  grandmother. 
The Groenewegen family has many good memories of your mother (and father)  especially during their first years in Hamilton. 
May God comfort you with the evidence of her Christian faith, which we now celebrate in his holy Easter week.
May God give you comfort and strength especially in the next days. 
Nell & John Schuurman 

Our mom was born Annie Strating in Den Haag, The Netherlands, on July 12, 1931 as the sixth of 11 children. Twenty years later, she immigrated to Canada to marry Paul Struik, our dad. They settled in Hamilton during their 43 years of marriage and were blessed with five children, 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Mom was a founding member of Immanuel CRC and was unrelenting in her faith. She was a talented seamstress, a worldwide traveller, and a loving mother. 

Mom, we will miss you and we love you. 

-Rick, Henriette, Joanne, Pauline, and John

In memory Annie Strating (3)

Anyway I read the letter on my way to Hoek van Holland, from where the ferry left for England where the Boat that would transport me to Australia was waiting. I had to inform Annie, it was too late. She found it very hard to forgive me for not coming to Canada to join them instead of going to Australia. I had no idea that I would spend the rest of my life in Australia. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” Proverbs 16:9.

Annie loved travelling, especially to the old Country to visit her family, who meant a lot to her. Her first trip was in 1957 with baby daughter Joanne. I never forget how happy my dad was then, so proud and excited to have his first grandchild in his arms. That was real special.

1972 was my first trip back to the Netherland and I asked if Annie would come too. What a reunion that was for all of us! Annie went back home after 3 weeks and she gave me her left over Dutch guilders with the distinct instruction to ‘spend it wisely’.

In 1990 Mappie and I went to Canada to visit our daughter Wilma who had married a Canadian and settled in Hamilton and also visit the Struik family of course.

After that various visits were made and your parents also visited us in Australia.

I remember one time visiting in Canada on my own that I biked from Wilma’s place early in the morning to have breakfast with my sister Annie. Yes I have many pleasant memories of her, many telephone calls and cards and letters. We have all been blessed in her and through her. Her earthly journey is done. With thankfulness we may look back at what she has meant for you and for us all. To God be the Glory!

Words cannot ease the sorrow that is in your heart today

But may you find an inner peace as time goes on its way

And may your cherished memories bring comfort to you too

And help to make your loved one seem still very close to you.

With love and caring sympathy, from Uncle Herbert, Aunt Mappie and Cousins.

 

In memory Annie Strating (2)

They seemed to have deep discussions and enjoyed each others company.

After her engagement Annie worked for the Geusebroeks, who were jewellers. They are known to your family I think as they also migrated to Canada later on, if I remember rightly.

I remember Annie as having a very happy disposition with a bit of a naughty streak in her. She had the knack of making our home gezellig. Every now and again the table was in a different position, for example. Mind you we lived in a small house with the 13 of us. No bathroom and one had to go the ‘Bath House’ down the road to have a bath once a week, which cost us 10 cents. Our house had one big room, which was occupied by the 4 girls, with Tiny and Annie sharing a double bed and Henriette and Jantina sharing another double bed. Dad and Mum had a very small bedroom and the boys were each sleeping in a dark internal room also in double beds.

In 1956 when I was 18 years of age wanted to migrate to Canada and wrote about it to Annie. We had quite a correspondence going and I thought it was OK. However when I was serious about booking my passage to Canada Annie did not support the idea any longer. I could not understand that at the time and was really disappointed of course. However as I matured and had a family of my own I realised it’s quite something to be responsible for a teenager with not much work experience as yet and don’t blame them.

Then two years later, to be exact, on the day I was leaving as a 21 year old to go to Australia for a year of work experience sponsored by the Government, a l0 page registered letter arrived by Express Mail, delivered in person by a postman from Annie. The message: not to go to Australia for a number of reasons but to come to Canada after all. (Too bad I don’t know what happened to the letter, it’s gone!)

Anyway I read the letter on my way to Hoek van Holland, from where the ferry left for England where the Boat that would transport me to Australi

In Memoriam of my dear Sister Annie (1)

Annie was blessed with four Names: Anna, Helena, Cornelia and Sybilla. She was a very dear sister to me, her little brother as she would say, even not so long ago that she really loved her little brother.

Born in the Acacia Straat in den Haag on the 12th of July 1931. She lived at this address with the family for 19 years after which she left to follow her fiancé Paul Struik to Canada.

Paul and Annie met at a School Party late 1949 early 1950 and it wasn’t long that they got engaged. Paul was in the process of migrating to Canada and left in 1950. He left his bike and his 3 part fishing rod to our brother Joop and my youngest brother Hans and myself were given some lead soldiers.

I had to dig deep in my memory to be able to write something about Annie as I was only 12 years old when she followed Paul to Canada in 1951. The laws of the country in those days were that Annie was to follow him after 12 months. So let’s see what I can dig up.

After primary School Annie went to the so-called “Christelijke Huishoud School” where young girls were to be taught the art of being a ’homemaker’, to become the pivot on which everything hinges in a household, to make a house a HOME (gezellig) and so keep the men out of the pub and the children off the street. Quite the education I think, too bad that isn’t considered as needed anymore these days. I think she did her education proud and our daughter Wilma even bore the fruits of it.

Annie was a very popular outgoing young lady and never lacked any friends. Our mother died when she was 17 years old and I was a 9 year old.

She worked for a Leatherware Company selling bags etc. Was also help and clean for the neighbours, the Renkens family, which consisted of 4 unmarried brothers and 3 sisters in their fourties . They were strict Roman Catholics. The oldest brother was a Priest who when visiting his siblings would always pop in to visit our Dad who was a Reformed Minister. They

Condolences to the whole family. I have so many memory of your mom and all of them fond. We loved to tease each other and I must have frustrated her at times when she would try to be mad and I’d smile at her and she couldn’t keep it together. She was special and unique and will be missed. 
Jack


We would like to offer our condolences on the passing of your mom.  Specially at this time when as community we cannot be together we want to wish you God's strength in the coming weeks.

OBITUARY

Annie Helena Cornelia Sybilla Struik

12 July, 1931 – 3 April, 2020

Cresmount Funeral Home - Fennell Chapel

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