Jane Ellen Griffin Hesselink

friend to so many.

We wanted to share here some of our fondest memories of our mom:

Adventurer

Mom was an avid adventurer. She accompanied Dad and his outdoor adventure Club known as the ‘Rusticators’ on many exciting activities and hikes. She quickly become known to the high school students as the ‘Rusticator Mom’.

In 1976 as our family went on a yearlong trip to Australia, Mom was right there alongside us, travelling in light planes, jeeps in the outback or dealing with poisonous snakes in the backyard.

A “Do-er”

Mom was one of those people who just got things done. Whether it be working at the office, helping with the family, the house or the cottage, she still managed to find the energy for her friends. She taught us that things should not be left unfinished…. even if it was a 3000-piece puzzle that sat for weeks on a card table in our living room. She made sure, no matter how long it took, you finish what you start.

Supportive

Mom was such an incredibly supportive person who was always there for us when we needed her. Her love for her family was apparent in all that she did for us. Growing up, Mom would not miss a single supporting event we had, and she could be heard on the sidelines cheering us on. Even as a grandmother, she would drive great distances to watch her grandchildren play hockey or ringette. After a long day at work, Mom would still help us out with school projects - like the time she caught Trevor cutting out pictures from Dad’s National Geographic magazines, but then explained how to lay them out like a pro. Mom really was such a supportive parent who encouraged independence while ensuring we were always essentially on the right path.

Sporty

Mom enjoyed a variety of sports such as squash, tennis, biking, pickleball and even football (She wouldn’t let us forget that she was on an all girl’s football team in high school called the ‘Powder Puffs’). Her love for hockey grew as she spent years watching The Leaf’s with Dad and Dane (Trevor listened, playing lego on the other side of the couch…). When Mom came home one day to find Dane and his friend’s playing mini hockey in the basement, they were sure they were going to be in trouble. Instead, Mom decided to join the boys and stepped in as the goalie. The kids thought she was the coolest mom after that.

Parent

Mom knew how to be firm and persuasive, when necessary and having two boys, seemed to necessitate it often. Like the time Dane and Jane were driving to the cottage, and Dane decided he had enough of Mom’s ‘Loon sounds’ tape. He decided to not only eject it from the cassette player but ‘eject’ it from the vehicle as he opened his car window and threw it out. Mom insisted that he turn the car around and search for the cassette. They did just that.

Friendship

Mom was truly a social butterfly and made new acquaintances and friendships everywhere she went. She cared for all her friends and always told us about the great times and laughs they shared together. Our mom was the kind of person that could walk into Canadian Tire looking for lightbulbs and walk out having made a new best friend in the sales associate. She made friends everywhere she went, and she always knew what to say to make people feel good about themselves. Mom even managed to combine her love for gardening and socializing by drawing neighbours into conversation as she endlessly hand-weeded the front lawn. She was very proud of the incredible connections and meaningful relationships she made over the years.

Caring

Mom showed a deep love for her friends and family and always acted as a caregiver for those in need. She showed such great compassion and love for our Dad, especially when he became ill. She took care of him year after year and ensured that he was taken care of properly and always with love. Mom volunteered in many associations and enjoyed her time working as a Big Sister, with the Alzheimer’s association, gardening at the Peterborough Zoo and more. She was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Family

Mom was the glue that held our family together. Her family meant the world to her and she always looked forward to having her boys back home and catching up. We would always laugh as we sat at the dinner table getting ready to dig into a delicious meal when almost on cue we would hear ‘So… here we are!’ It was our mom’s way of saying ‘Finally, we are back together again as a family.’

Growing up, we regularly visited the ‘Griffin Clan’ at Grandpa and Grandma’s cottage on Scugog Lake, or drifted through lazy summers at the Griffin retreat on Cameron Lake. The annual Thanksgiving dinners, and the Boxing Day gatherings where Jane was the mastermind behind the little kid’s ‘Fishing pond.’ We have so many fond memories of the times spent with our extended family. Mom especially cherished her relationships with her siblings Jim, Al, Ron, Jackie, Pat and John.

Mom also enjoyed spending time with Dad’s extended family. She particularly enjoyed relating with our female cousins - a pleasant escape from being constantly surrounded by us boys.

Our Mom was a wonderful grandmother who loved her three grandchildren Nora, Trent and Kaza. She always enjoyed spending time with them and letting them know how much they were loved.

A great memory was when Mom took us all on a family trip to Holland in 2008, to visit Dad’s birthplace. She understood the importance of bringing us together as a family to gain a better understanding where Dad was born and to experience the Dutch culture with him. She also made it possible for us to meet Dad’s childhood best friend on a trip to Brummen. Spending that time with the family in Holland was one of Mom’s happiest times.

Mom, we love you more than we can put into words. We are so grateful for our incredible childhood and the adventures we took together. We will miss talking with you, hearing your laugh and sitting down for family dinners and hearing that inevitable, ’So, here we are…’ !

Love always,

your boys,

Trevor and Dane