Elbertha van den Hurk

Elbertha Adriana “Ella” van den Hurk/van den Hoeven, a vibrant and wonderfully warm and generous soul, left us at the age of 90 on March 8, 2025, at her Beacon Heights home in Orleans after living with Alzheimer's for the last few years. Born in Jutphaas, Netherlands, in September 1934, Ella's life was nothing short of a grand tapestry—richly interwoven with love, family, community, cycling, and, of course, an endless supply of old Dutch relatives and new Cambodian ones.

Ella was the loving mother of Samoeur, Maryann, Alice, Arnold, and Martin. Her legacy lives on in her 13 treasured grandchildren, each recipient of a lovingly crafted pair (or several) of socks, and loving pragmatic advice. It wasn’t uncommon to find neighbours, the ever-endearing Boudreau's, and even some of Montreal’s luckier homeless folks (thanks to Geneviève’s distribution magic) sporting socks that carried a warm, maternal hug.

For over 50 years, Ella and Kees made their home in Chambly, Quebec—a place they lovingly proclaimed “the center of the universe.” Here, amidst the laughter, stories, and Dutch cultural pride, they built a generous caring community and a family full of love.

A celebration of Ella’s unforgettable life will be held in Chambly. Friends and family, are invited to join in a celebration of her storied life on Saturday May 17th in the "center of the universe". The festivities will include a funeral mass at Église Saint-Joseph, Chambly at 2 p.m. Following the mass, both Ella’s and Kees’s remains will be laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church at 3 p.m. After the formalities, there will be refreshments, cheerful songs, and plenty of anecdotes to keep her memory alive—puns and all. (Fondation des ainés du bassin de Chamby, 1390 Ave. Bourgogne, Chambly.) In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Ella’s vibrant spirit, loving embrace and generous heart will be dearly missed. Her legacy continues in every cozy pair of socks, every shared laugh, and every loving memory. Rest in peace, Mama—you’ve knitted the ultimate masterpiece.