Elizabeth (Liz, Lies) Antonia Raymakers of Prime Brook, Cape Breton, passed away peacefully in her beloved home on July 18, 2022 at the age of 93. She was able to remain in her home until the end with the loving and supportive care of her family.
Born on May 31, 1929 in Gemert, Netherlands to Adriannus and Wilhelmina van Helvoort. She was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband John (Johannas) Raymakers, grandson Justin Raymakers, sister Betsy Van der Ven and brother Martinus Van Helvoort.
Liz will be lovingly remembered and is survived by her six children, Arno (Kim), Dorothy (Willard), Wilma (David), Adrian (Regina), Darlene (Mike) and Chris (Sheryle). She is also remembered by her cherished grandchildren Stephanie, Adam, Andrew, Shaun, Adrienne, Rebecca, Erin, Christien, Brandon, Alexa, three beautiful great grandchildren Arwen, Zoey and Brynn and very close family friend Yvonne as well as step grandchildren Ainsley, Lindsay, Robyn and step great grandchild Benjamin.
Liz is also survived by two sisters Riek Venneman, Rien Van der Horst and many caring brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews of both Halifax, the Netherlands, Kenya and Belgium.
Following the Second World War, Liz and John married and emigrated from the Netherlands in 1953, leaving behind their families. They landed at Pier 21 in Halifax with hopes of finding employment and a better life in Canada. They eventually made their way to the Huntington Farm in Marion Bridge. They faced many barriers as new Dutch immigrants; finding jobs and learning a new language, but they built a home where they raised six children whom she was very proud of and loved dearly. Although she missed her family in Holland, she was an active member of the Dutch community in Cape Breton, helping to keep her culture and traditions alive.
Liz's door was always open and there was always a bowl of soup to be had! She loved to chat and entertain. She welcomed many relatives and friends and made everyone feel comfortable. She loved to show visitors the beautiful scenery of Cape Breton, the place she now called home. She always had a suitcase under her bed packed and ready to travel.
She wants her grandchildren to remember sitting on her knee while she taught us to sing Klap een in je handjes together.
She wants us to remember gathering around the kitchen table while she served apple pancakes and homemade soup.
She wants us to remember her turkey dinners and that her stuffing was the best.
She wants us to remember how proud she has always been of our accomplishments.
She wants us to continue to gather as a family. She doesn't want us to cry. She wants us to dance.
She wants us to keep on truckin'.
Liz worked at many jobs to help provide for her family. She forged strong friendships throughout her life and at the Cape Breton Hospital where she worked up until her retirement. She often spoke of her experiences during the war at the Rotary club on Remembrance Day. She was a member of the CWL, participated in a Time Out Craft Club and played cards with the same friends for more than forty years, whom she considered her Dutch family in Canada. They played an important part in helping her settle into her new life in Cape Breton.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many women from Cape Breton County Homemakers, the VON and the Palliative Care Team who took such good care of our mom. You are very special people who listened to her stories and shared some of your own with her which she loved.
Thank you to two special people, Dot and Bev, who were there to see to her needs and to Willard for his support to her daughter, Dorothy. Your caring nature will always be appreciated.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from 6 until 9pm at TW Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George Street, Sydney. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Two Rivers Wildlife Park, www.tworiverspark.ca and Hospice Cape Breton hospicecapebreton.org.
