Jeannette Elisabeth van Boxel (Brooker)

She came to rest at the CHSLD Vigi Dollard-des-Ormeaux after a long and fulfilling life centered on family, friends, art and culture. She was gracious and courageous to the very end.

Jeannette, or "Nette", as she was called by her parents Jacobus van Boxel and Anna van Boxel (Snoek), was the eldest child to a family of four including her siblings Paul (Jennifer), John and Pieter (Mo). She was the beloved wife to Michael, much loved and devoted mother to her three children Mark, Tom (Leslie), and Ann Sylvia (Byron) and the ever-loving grandmother to Alexander (Janelle), Carolyn, Eric (Emily), Anna, Lowell, and Callista. She was a devoted and loving aunt, sister-in-law and friend, to family and friends near and far. She was a conscientious and diligent correspondent, and managed to maintain social connections for decades across many continents.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa on May 18, 1937, Jeannette studied architecture and enjoyed mountain climbing at the University of Cape Town where she met Michael her soon to

be husband and lifelong companion for 62 years. She married Michael at the age of 22. By 24 she had a toddler in toe and was pregnant with her second child when she and Michael chose to leave South Africa and her architectural studies and chart a new life in Canada.

Her first language was Dutch, but she became fluent in English, Afrikaans and then French, which she learnt as an elective in High School in Cape Town, South Africa. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal. For 20 years, she was a full time teacher at a francophone high school in Montreal while raising 3 children. She taught woodworking, technical drawing, art and English as a second language

Jeannette was an artist, a teacher, a mentor, editor and board member of the Informer (a neighbourhood newspaper), Laurentian Lodge Ski Club executive member, Montreal West Book Club founder and friend to many. At every life crossroads, she chose what she believed was the best for her family over herself, and adapted wonderfully to life's ongoing changes.

She was gracious and cultured, but underneath this formal exterior was a strength that allowed her scramble into a canoe, adapt to life in a new country, or be a caregiver for her spouse in his final years, all without complaint. She will be forever remembered, and a source of continuing inspiration for her wisdom, perceptive and clear eyed understanding, kindness, and caring spirit.

The family wishes to thank the staff at CHSLD Vigi Dollard-des-Ormeaux for their exceptional dedication to her care and to Glenna Matthews, devoted and steadfast caregiver in her final years with whom Jeannette felt an instant and lasting connection and came to see as a beloved and trusted friend.

Visitation is on Sunday March 16 is at Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes 5610 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal from 2:00-5:00 PM.

Memorial Service Monday March 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Philips Anglican Church 25 Brock Ave N, Montreal West, Quebec H4X 2G1 with reception to follow in the Church hall.