Jannetje Passchier

Truly my soul finds rest in God; My salvation comes from him. Psalm 62 v. 1.

 

It is with great sadness that we announce the great loss of mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Jannetje Passchier, 95, who passed away Feb. 1, 2024, at Huronview Nursing Home.  

 

Janny was the loving wife of Anton Passchier for 58 years. She was the dear mother of Maria Passchier of Blyth, Anna Myers of St. John’s, Newfoundland, JoAnn (Richard) Pepneck of Vauxhall, Alberta, John (Joan) Passchier of Puslinch, Anton Jr. (Rhea) Passchier of Pickering, Bernice (Felix) Weber of Palmerston and Trudy (Mark) Krahn of Clinton. She will also be remembered by her daughter-in-law Sylvia and Jim Parish of Blyth, 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. 

 

Janny was predeceased by her husband Anton (2011), son Gordon (1987), daughter-in-law Sandra (2006), and son-in-law Owen Myers (2019). 

 

Born in Katwijk aan Zee, Holland, Janny was the third of 11 children in a close-knit family. Her life was shaped by living through the Depression and World War II. As a young girl, Janny helped her farm family feed the hungry during the terrible Dutch Hunger Winter in 1944 and 1945.  

 

Janny married Anton in 1953 and immigrated to Canada. Together, they raised their family of eight and farmed as a team. A gifted seamstress, she designed and made many dresses for her five daughters, knitted countless slippers and crocheted beautiful tiny sweaters for grandchildren. Music was enjoyed through playing the organ and singing. 

 

Janny’s writing included many letters, still treasured by her children, a tradition her own mother started when Janny first immigrated to Canada. An avid reader, she was always ready for intelligent conversations on religion or current events. Into her 90s, Janny used her proficient computer skills to send e-birthday cards and connect with family around the world, sharing valuable insights of her wartime memories in Holland. 

 

A woman of deep Christian faith, Janny was a quiet and dignified example to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the community. In later years, every time we said goodbye and hugged, she would say, “Say hello to everyone and tell them I love them. My family means a lot to me.” A true legacy of faith, love and family. 

 

Visitation is on Friday, Feb. 9, from 7-9 p.m. and the funeral service is on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. officiated by Pastor Brent Kipfer. Both are at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church. Spring interment will be in the Blyth Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be to Open Doors of Canada or Clinton Public Hospital. 

 

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes - Clinton. Messages of Condolence for the Passchier family are welcome at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com