Johanna Andrea Joostema

Johanna “Joan or Jopie” Andrea Joostema (nee. Van Ee) was a woman who placed love and family above all else. Her home was one of warm food, coffee, and conversation. No matter if you were a family member, a friend, or a neighbour, the Joostema family’s living room was always open.

Johanna grew up as the middle child of three, born to Alida and Willem Van Ee, in the countryside town—just outside of Rotterdam—IJsselmonde, the Netherlands. As she would tell her children and grandchildren, her childhood was surrounded by the hardships of war and starvation, but also the beautiful beacons of love, learning, and adventure; all attributes that Johanna found in her husband, Jan, when they met on a camping trip with friends in their late teens. Jan and Johanna had a love story that acted as an example for all who knew them. Having nowhere to live after the war, Johanna and Jan moved to Canada in 1957. They moved to British Columbia and ultimately settled in Coquitlam, where they welcomed their first son, Ron, in 1959, their second son, Earl, in 1960, and their daughter, Tanya, in 1967. When Johanna and Jan were not working at their beloved bike store, Austin Cycle, they and their three kids packed up the car and drove to all corners of the province. Most fond memories of their children were spent amongst the trees, lakes, and mountains of B.C. and beyond.

Johanna, in addition to her lifelong love of the outdoors, was also passionate about learning and expanding her ever-growing knowledge of the world around her. Having taught herself English in her 20s, not a moment of her life was passed without a novel, news article, or crossword puzzle within reach. Even in her final years, Johanna was still wiping the table with her loved ones in Scrabble! Her commitment to knowledge is an attribute that she fondly passed down to her children and grandchildren.

Johanna is survived by her children, Ron, Earl (Maureen), and Tanya, her grandchildren, Janice, Austin, Nicole, Cameron, Chenoa, Halle, Bryce, and Kai, and many other relatives throughout Canada and the Netherlands.

Your memory, love, and strength live on in all who you raised and loved. We love you.