Obituary for Antonia Francisca "Ann, Antje" Ivits (van Hintum)
Antonia Francisca Ivits (Ann, Antje) nee Van Hintum Dec. 12, 1930 - Dec 22, 2021
Our dear mother, Ann Ivits, passed away at Woods Park Care Centre, Barrie, at the age of 91 and is now reunited with dad in God’s loving presence. We feel such relief, knowing that her heartbreaking struggle with dementia is finally over. We will always remember the strong and courageous woman that she was who lived a loving and fulfilling life.
Mom was born the tenth oldest of twenty children, to Johanna Hanegraaf and Martinus Van Hintum. The little dutch village of Nistlerode served as her home until she met and married our father, the late Martin Ivits. Together they immigrated to Canada in 1953, living on our pig farm in New Lowell where they raised us, nine siblings strong. Busy as mom was taking care of us and running a household, she still managed to devote countless hours to the Brentwood Catholic Women’s League, the New Lowell Women’s Institute, the Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association, and a host of other service organizations.
Mom loved to travel, first with dad, and then after he passed away, with her dear friend Monique Mesdag. Mom traveled all over North America, Europe, Australia, and the Holy Land. She was also a gifted seamstress, a skill that originated out of necessity, and in later years developed into her creative passion, as evidenced in the many quilts and wall hangings that she gifted to our family over the years. When mom was no longer able to stitch with needle and thread, her artistic eye for colour and design turned to endless hours of colouring intricate pictures. As long as mom could still lift a hand, she desired to gift us with these homemade creations. These heirlooms of love are treasured by each of us fortunate to have them.
Mom, we will always hold you in our hearts and thank you for the infinite love that you shared with us. By example, you taught us to seek adventure, try new things, remain courageous through adversity, and above all to deepen our bond as a family. We are grateful for the many ways that you kept us connected to our dutch heritage through the foods you made, the stories you told, and the music we danced to. Your memories live on through us, and we cherish each and every one. You lived a prayerful life based on a strong faith in God, and we take comfort knowing that you are now at peace, reunited with dad in heaven.
Grandma, to look into your gleaming eyes and feel the tight squeeze of your hands was to know love. Childhood visits with you meant learning to knit, play cards, and make sweet treats. You bravely led our big brood of cousins on outdoor excursions to the beach, the zoo, marshlands, and forests - and could always be counted on to fill our bellies with hagelslag sandwiches. As adults, our homes are warmed by the dozens of heirlooms you made each of us by hand, from needlepoint Christmas ornaments to handwritten memory books. We hold dear the stories you shared about growing up during the war. They teach us lessons about the vital importance of peace and the many blessings afforded to us by our grafted roots in Canada. We are deeply grateful for your dedication to our family and will always draw strength from the pride you had in us.
Ann was the beloved wife of the late Martin (2000). She is lovingly remembered by her children: Joanne (Kevin) George, Mariette (Norm) Frechette, Willy Ivits (Chris), Jeannette (Rob) Weselake, Henry Ivits, Mary (Daniel) Mapel, Gerry (Jamilla) Ivits, Louise (Rob) Noordegraaf, Diane Crittenden (Ron). Dear grandmother of 22 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Ann is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law: Bill and Francine Van Hintum (Stayner); Antoon & Diny Van Hintum, Piet and Mien Van Hintum, Christine and Jo Lamers, Annie Van Hintum, all from Holland: Riek Hintum, Gerda Hintum, and Joe and Ann Van Hintum from Australia. She will also be lovingly remembered by the Van Hintum, Sprangers, Aarden, and Van der Wielen families in Canada, and her many other nieces and nephews across three continents. Mom will also be missed by Diane Van Boxmeer, Monique Mesdag, Mien Maas, Corie Manders, and her Quilt Circle of friends. Mom is predeceased by our father, Martin Ivits; her grandson, Marcel Fontaine; daughter-in-law Jane Ivits (Henry); her parents and many brothers, sisters, and in-laws.
We want to thank Mom's compassionate team of caregivers, as Mom's dementia progressed. A special thank you to the caring staff at Blue Mountain Manor in Stayner, where Mom lived for several years. St. Elizabeth Health Care, the staff from On My List Senior Assist, and Woods Park Care Centre, also provided warm comfort and amazing support in Mom's last year.
Due to COVID restrictions, Mom's Visitation at Carruthers Funeral Home and Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church will be held by invitation only on Wednesday, December 29th at 11 am. We invite mom’s extended family and friends to join us by the video link located on the Carruthers and Davidson Funeral Home website. Spring Interment St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. If desired, donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Simcoe County, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, or a charity of your choice.
Our dear mother, Ann Ivits, passed away at Woods Park Care Centre, Barrie, at the age of 91 and is now reunited with dad in God’s loving presence. We feel such relief, knowing that her heartbreaking struggle with dementia is finally over. We will always remember the strong and courageous woman that she was who lived a loving and fulfilling life.
Mom was born the tenth oldest of twenty children, to Johanna Hanegraaf and Martinus Van Hintum. The little dutch village of Nistlerode served as her home until she met and married our father, the late Martin Ivits. Together they immigrated to Canada in 1953, living on our pig farm in New Lowell where they raised us, nine siblings strong. Busy as mom was taking care of us and running a household, she still managed to devote countless hours to the Brentwood Catholic Women’s League, the New Lowell Women’s Institute, the Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association, and a host of other service organizations.
Mom loved to travel, first with dad, and then after he passed away, with her dear friend Monique Mesdag. Mom traveled all over North America, Europe, Australia, and the Holy Land. She was also a gifted seamstress, a skill that originated out of necessity, and in later years developed into her creative passion, as evidenced in the many quilts and wall hangings that she gifted to our family over the years. When mom was no longer able to stitch with needle and thread, her artistic eye for colour and design turned to endless hours of colouring intricate pictures. As long as mom could still lift a hand, she desired to gift us with these homemade creations. These heirlooms of love are treasured by each of us fortunate to have them.
Mom, we will always hold you in our hearts and thank you for the infinite love that you shared with us. By example, you taught us to seek adventure, try new things, remain courageous through adversity, and above all to deepen our bond as a family. We are grateful for the many ways that you kept us connected to our dutch heritage through the foods you made, the stories you told, and the music we danced to. Your memories live on through us, and we cherish each and every one. You lived a prayerful life based on a strong faith in God, and we take comfort knowing that you are now at peace, reunited with dad in heaven.
Grandma, to look into your gleaming eyes and feel the tight squeeze of your hands was to know love. Childhood visits with you meant learning to knit, play cards, and make sweet treats. You bravely led our big brood of cousins on outdoor excursions to the beach, the zoo, marshlands, and forests - and could always be counted on to fill our bellies with hagelslag sandwiches. As adults, our homes are warmed by the dozens of heirlooms you made each of us by hand, from needlepoint Christmas ornaments to handwritten memory books. We hold dear the stories you shared about growing up during the war. They teach us lessons about the vital importance of peace and the many blessings afforded to us by our grafted roots in Canada. We are deeply grateful for your dedication to our family and will always draw strength from the pride you had in us.
Ann was the beloved wife of the late Martin (2000). She is lovingly remembered by her children: Joanne (Kevin) George, Mariette (Norm) Frechette, Willy Ivits (Chris), Jeannette (Rob) Weselake, Henry Ivits, Mary (Daniel) Mapel, Gerry (Jamilla) Ivits, Louise (Rob) Noordegraaf, Diane Crittenden (Ron). Dear grandmother of 22 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Ann is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law: Bill and Francine Van Hintum (Stayner); Antoon & Diny Van Hintum, Piet and Mien Van Hintum, Christine and Jo Lamers, Annie Van Hintum, all from Holland: Riek Hintum, Gerda Hintum, and Joe and Ann Van Hintum from Australia. She will also be lovingly remembered by the Van Hintum, Sprangers, Aarden, and Van der Wielen families in Canada, and her many other nieces and nephews across three continents. Mom will also be missed by Diane Van Boxmeer, Monique Mesdag, Mien Maas, Corie Manders, and her Quilt Circle of friends. Mom is predeceased by our father, Martin Ivits; her grandson, Marcel Fontaine; daughter-in-law Jane Ivits (Henry); her parents and many brothers, sisters, and in-laws.
We want to thank Mom's compassionate team of caregivers, as Mom's dementia progressed. A special thank you to the caring staff at Blue Mountain Manor in Stayner, where Mom lived for several years. St. Elizabeth Health Care, the staff from On My List Senior Assist, and Woods Park Care Centre, also provided warm comfort and amazing support in Mom's last year.
Due to COVID restrictions, Mom's Visitation at Carruthers Funeral Home and Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church will be held by invitation only on Wednesday, December 29th at 11 am. We invite mom’s extended family and friends to join us by the video link located on the Carruthers and Davidson Funeral Home website. Spring Interment St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. If desired, donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Simcoe County, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, or a charity of your choice.