Antoinette Sophie Elisabeth Verheijen

Antoinette “Nettie” Sophia Elisabeth Verheijen (nee Esser) passed away peacefully in Abbotsford, British Columbia on January 7, 2026, at the age of 96. Nettie was born in Tilburg, the Netherlands on April 23, 1929 to parents Philip Leonard Hubert Esser and Antoinetta Lambertha Wilhelmina (nee van Druten).

Nettie and her husband Harry immigrated with their four children to Canada in 1961 and became Canadian Citizens during Canada’s Centennial year in 1967. She enjoyed living in Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia, but still maintained a traditional Dutch house in each location with Delft Blue pottery, lace curtains and carpets on the tables. Nettie was a person with considerable energy and when her youngest started in school, she quickly started working in the evenings as a typesetter. As the children got older the jobs became full-time and Nettie’s administrative jobs were principally in accounting and inventory control.

For those who knew Nettie well, she was known for wanting to keep politicians accountable to the public. Over the years, many letters went to federal, provincial and local politicians in addition to newspaper letters to the editor and phone calls to radio call-in programs. She received one very long personalized letter from the office of the Minister of Finance at the time, who later became Prime Minister. Nettie was passionate that the right thing be done and that life was fair for all. At the same time, Nettie was always able to remember what it was like to be a child and could communicate with children from their perspective. The grandchildren always loved going to see their Oma, and their Opa too, of course. Nettie looked forward to Sunday family outings even when her children were no longer young. She also liked dogs and for decades walked two hours every evening with her dog. She also found time to draw, paint, embroider, and play the organ.

Nettie is survived by three of her seven siblings: Federico (Mieke), Loes (Robby), and Ingrid; her sister-in-law Riet; her four children: Marianne (Brian), Antoine (Ange), Harry and Anita; her grandchildren: Nicole, Stacey, Shawna (Hristo), Alanna (Julie), Anatol (Chris) and Claire (Corrie); step-grandchildren: Maria (Ryan) and Andrea (Erik); great-grandchildren: Kasey, Isaac, Eve, Daniel, Elliot and Emma; step-great-grandchildren: Isaac, Rhiannon and Madelyn; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Nettie was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Harry Antonius Verheijen; four sisters: Ans, Eugenie and Cobie; and her brother Philip.

Rest in peace Nettie-Mom-Oma-OverOma. We love you and miss you very much.

The family wishes to extend their thanks for all the care given to Nettie by family physician Dr. Brian Carlson, by Dr. Sandeep Basanti, and by all the staff at The Oxford Senior Care Home.