DESSENS, Johanna

February 11, 1930 — August 25, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of our mother, Johanna Dessens, who passed away on August 25, 2024, at the age of 94.

We, her children including Dr. Peter Dessens (Jacqueline Kane), John Dessens, Claudine Dessens (Dwight Tucker), and Beda Dessens (Jim MacKenzie); along with grandchildren Chris Dessens and Stephen Haas; friends and a large extended family will miss her tremendously and hold her close in our hearts. She now joins those who passed before her, including our father, her beloved husband, Jan Dessens, her parents, and siblings.

Johanna was born in Den Haag, The Netherlands. Her childhood included going to school as well as helping out in her parents’ stores, working behind the counter. With a diploma in bookkeeping in hand, she was able to perform the other tasks required to help run the business with her parents. Beginning in early childhood, through the very difficult times of World War II, and then, through her teenage years, she studied classical piano becoming a highly accomplished pianist.

Johanna and Jan met while both were bicycling on the boardwalk in Scheveningen on August 14, 1951. They fell in love and continued to celebrate the anniversary of that day throughout their entire lives. They married in 1952 and began their life together, living in a houseboat on a canal in Delft. Ten years later, they were living in a real house in Twello, Gelderland with four children.

The family immigrated to Canada in 1966 (landing in Quebec City, QC), settling in Calgary, AB, and later Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. With a complete focus on fully integrating into and contributing to their new Canadian community, the entire family proudly became Canadian citizens in 1974. While living in Calgary and Hudson Bay, Johanna was heavily involved with her community by volunteering at the kindergarten, Hudson’s Bay Ladies Auxiliary, and the Pioneer Lodge for Seniors. She played the organ for church services, for weddings, and for funerals. She shared her musical passion as a piano teacher, touching many lives through her teaching. As well, she and Jan organized and hosted weekly National Film board film nights at the Pioneer Lodge. After searching the catalogue and making the order by snail mail, the film reels arrived by train from Winnipeg each week. They previewed and repaired the films when necessary, and then the whole family was off to the lodge for movie night! The film “The Drylanders” was an annual favourite of many of the seniors, as were the Ti-Jean series of early logging and railroading times. Throughout her life, Johanna was also a keen student of multiple languages, an avid reader and had a thirst for knowledge.

In later years, she and Jan moved to the place they called Zomerlandje (Summerland, BC) where they enjoyed a long retirement together. Both were active members in the gardening club, the camera club, and the astronomy club. They had always led a healthy and active lifestyle and this continued in the Okanagan with long walks in the hills, golf, as well as bicycling throughout their lives for as long as possible. They loved exploring the Okanagan Valley. When not being out and about, they nurtured their beautiful flower filled garden. Along with their children, friends from Canada and beyond, and many extended family members from The Netherlands visited them in Summerland. No two people could have been more proud of their town!

One more move brought them both to Mission Villas in Kelowna, BC, where Johanna continued to reside for over a decade after Jan’s passing. She was so proud to be one of the longest residents at MV made possible by the most wonderful, caring, and generous staff. With the special attention of Gail, Bianca, Val, Margaret, Kirsten, and Krista along with TLC Home Support’s Belinda and Ann, Johanna was able to continue to live at her cherished home in Mission Villas into her nineties. We will be forever grateful that this was possible.

Johanna spent her last two years in Cottonwoods Care Centre, looked after by their caring, patient, and accommodating staff. She had a lovely private area with a south facing window overlooking a courtyard. Many days were spent with us in the numerous courtyards, outdoor spaces, and wonderful public spaces that Cottonwoods offers.

Johanna treasured her family, dedicated her life to us, and made our house a home no matter in which town or city that house was located. She raised us to be independent, caring people with a zest for life. She was acutely interested in local, national, and world current events. Through the years, she kept beautifully written journals describing her life in the Netherlands and Canada. What a treasure it is to have those journals to read now! She was a deeply caring, kind, keenly observant and thoughtful person throughout her entire life. She will be greatly missed by all the many lives she touched.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated and incredible care aids, nursing staff, and Allied Health staff at Cottonwoods and KGH, Dr. Benade, Dr. Wile, Dr. Demcoe, Dr. M. Bobyn, KGH Hospitalists, the wonderful staff at Mission Villas, TLC Home Support, and everyone else involved in Johanna’s care. Thank you also to Lauren and her colleagues at Springfield Funeral Home for helping us say our final goodbyes to mom. Lauren was incredibly helpful and accommodating, allowing us to celebrate and remember Johanna on August 29, 2024 with an intimate and truly unique family gathering.

Slaap maar lekker, Schmoo, onze lieve moeder !

In memory of Johanna, donations to the Parkinson Society British Columbia are welcomed.

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