Johanna “Annie” Van Den Broek

With broken hearts, we announce the passing of our dear mother, Johanna “Annie” Van Den Broek, on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at her home in Cardigan, surrounded by family, love, songs and prayers. Annie was a teller of stories, a writer of letters, a sewer of quilts, a lover of humour, and above all a guiding light for her ten children, her thirty three grandchildren and her thirty great grandchildren. Johanna “ Annie” Van Den Broek (nee Nabuurs) was born June 05, 1926 in Westerbeek Holland, to Antonius and Maria Nabuurs (Peters). World War II had a profound effect on Annie and when tensions arose again in Europe in the early 1950’s, she and her husband Martin Van Den Broek decided to immigrate to Canada, where her brother John had already settled in Prince Edward Island. Martin and Annie married at the Catholic “Kerk” in Westerbeek, Holland, on April 14, 1955, their belongings were packed in “kists” and difficult farewells were said to her four brothers; Bernard, Bert, Tien and Toon, believing she would never see them again. Martin and Annie; along with her sister Lina; brothers, Piet and Harry; and their parents, Fader Toon and Moeder Maria, excitedly boarded the ship in Rotterdam and set sail for the famous Pier 21 in Halifax, NS Canada. Martin and Annie settled in their much-loved community of Cardigan, PEI and together, through hard work, perseverance, and trust in the Good Lord, they built a very good, and happy life for their family. After the children were grown, Mom wrote her life story “When The Green Letter Came Over”. She leaves us with these stories and memories and with her profound wisdom born of her experiences during World War II. Survived by her loving children; Mary (Eric) Grant, Pauline (Roger) Kelly, Martina (Lester) MacDonald, Herman (Margaret Kelly), Tony (Karen McCullough), Ansy (Eddy) Donahoe, Rinnie (Adrian) Bradley, George (Julie Condon), Juliana (David) Boyd, and Crissy (Brent) Riley. Grammie Annie will be dearly missed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Tante Annie will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews in PEI, Ontario, New Zealand and Holland. Annie was predeceased by her parents; Maria and Antonius Nabuurs; by her beloved husband, Martin; her infant daughter, Wilhelmina; her grandson, Ryan Kelly; as well as her seven brothers and one sister. Resting at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Cardigan. Due to covid restrictions, visitation will take place by invitation only. A private mass will take place on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Interment in the parish cemetery. If so desired, memorial donations may be made in Annie’s memory, directly to All Saints Parish Building Fund or to the Mikinduri, Children of Hope, or by etransfer to northshorefuneralhome@gmail.com. Online condolences may be made to northshorefuneralhome.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to North Shore Funeral Home, Morell.

The funeral mass for the late Johanna (Annie) Maria Antonia Van Den Broek was held on Monday, January 25, 2021 at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Cardigan with Father Tim Broderick officiating. Placing the pall were her daughters, Mar y Grant, Pauline Kelly, Martina MacDonald, Ansy Donahoe, Rinnie Bradley, Juliana Boyd and Crissy Riley. The first reading was read Julie Grant, while Sarah Bradley proclaimed the second reading. Prayers of the Faithful were asked by Alyta Van Den Broek. Father Tim Broderick read the gospel and delivered the homily. The Pallbearers were Alex Grant, Martin Van Den Broek, Peter Van Den Broek, Patrick Donahoe, Adam Bradley, and Nick Riley. Honorary pallbearers were off-island grand children who were unable to attend in person, Aaron Kelly, Christopher MacDonald, Johnathan MacDonald, Ashley Hipson, Lori Van Den Broek – Sequin, Jack Van Den Broek, Jennifer Van Den Broek, Jeffrey Van Den Broek, Johanna, Christina, Lia and Owen Boyd. Flowerbearers consisted of MaryAnne MacDonald, Denise Rowe, Suzanne Gallant, Katharena Bradley, Laura Bradley, Lindee Gallant, Johanna Grant, and Alexandra Hurley. Altar servers were Matthew MacDonald and Rachel Van Den Broek. The ushers for the celebration consisted of Tom Donahoe and Ben Riley. Music was provided by Organist, Marilyn Barrett and soloists, Crissy Riley and Roger Kelly singing, Processional, Be Not Afraid; Preparation of gifts, Hallelujah; Communion, Hail Mary, Gentle Woman; Meditation, Maria, Vergeet Ons Niet; and the Recessional, Amazing Grace. Interment was held at All Saints Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. The funeral was under the direction of North Shore Funeral Home, Morell.