Anna Wilhelmina Vandenakker

February 9, 1936 – September 19, 2011

Anna (Miep) passed away early on Monday September 19 at her home, surrounded by her family. Anna fought a very tough, very long battle with cancer. She surprised many people with her strength and unwillingness to give up over the years.

Miep is survived by her loving husband of 56 years John (Hans) Vandenakker, her daughters Anna (Harold) Vanderlende, Joan (Lawrence) Hiemstra and Monica (Robert) Molag, as well as grandchildren Caitlin, Marissa, Clarke, Trevor, Adam, Spencer, Ryan, Lindsay, Dennis & Annette.

Anna was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands as the youngest of 6 siblings. At the young age of 19 she married and immigrated to Canada. While she valued her Dutch heritage, she worked hard to learn the English language and the ways of Canadians. Many of the people this young couple met at this time became life-long friends and were at her side during her illness.

Her early careers included retail positions, in which she was often advanced to leadership positions within a short time. She completed Diplomas in Fashion Design and in American Sign Language at different times in her life, as she pursued her interests. Anna successfully owned and operated The Sewing Room on Lonsdale Ave in North Vancouver and was a Braille and sign language instructor in elementary schools for many years.

She is predeceased by her parents and all her siblings (3 brothers & 2 sisters) in Netherlands as well as one grandson, Mitchell (1995)

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to THE SMILE TRAIN CANADA to assist children requiring cleft palate surgery.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday September 23 at 2 p.m. at Nelson Avenue Community Church, 5825 Nelson Ave, Burnaby.