Hennie Cook

Our lively and warm-hearted Hennie was a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many. Hennie was pre-deceased by her parents Willem and Christine Visserman, and her brother Taede Visserman. She leaves to mourn her husband of 62 years Gerald, daughter Jacqueline (Randy), sons Roger (Emily) and Neil (Tara), her grandchildren Sebastian, Jordan, Mikaila, Samuel, and Benjamin, and her sisters Christine Eide and Eva Boyd. She also leaves extended family in Canada, the US, and Holland, plus many friends.

Hennie was born in Veenedaal, Holland, and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was 10 years old. The family settled first in Telkwa, BC, and in 1953 bought a dairy farm near Hazelton, BC. She met Gerald when they both worked in the Hudson’s Bay Company store in Hazelton – she was 15 and he was 18. They married in 1960. Gerald’s job took them many different places in BC, and they eventually lived in Terrace, BC for the last several years of their working lives. Throughout their lives they made many good long-time friends. They also enjoyed travelling, particularly to Mexico in the winter, but also made trips to Holland, France, Greece, the southern US, and last year went to England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Grand Canyon, and Vegas.

After retirement, Hennie and Gerald moved from Terrace to Sinclair Mills. She enjoyed renovating their home, looking after her yard, talking to the wildlife, and best of all, growing her vegetable garden. The garden bounty was so great that she would bring the produce to Prince George to sell. She met up with two other vendors and they were the original ones to start the Prince George Farmer’s Market in front of the court house. After 12 years in Sinclair Mills, Hennie and Gerald moved into Prince George.

Hennie was always up to the volunteer task. She was President of the Sinclair Mills Community Association for a number of years, volunteered 5 years for the Canadian Cancer Society, she was the Treasurer for the National Association of Federal Retirees for a number of years, and at the time of her passing was President of the North Central Seniors Association.

Of all her life activities, she cherished time with her family the most. Morning coffee with Gerald watching the news and chatting about world events together, Sunday dinners with her local family, Sunday morning phone calls with her kids afar, and regular visits and texting with her grandchildren were the joy of her life. She was our family matriarch and her presence in our lives will be dearly missed.

Interment will be held at a later date at the New Hazelton Cemetery overlooking the beautiful Rocher de Boule Mountain. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the UHNBC Spirit of the North Community Health Care Foundation in her memory (spiritofthenorth.ca).

May you rest in peace.