September 13, 1933 – October 5, 2021
In Loving Memory of ~ Family and friends sadly announce the passing of “Anneke” MEYERS at age 88 years, after 3 months in hospital – a beloved Aunt, Great Aunt, friend, and highly respected retired Kindergarten teacher.
The youngest of four children of Lucien Willem MEIJERS and Suzanna Maria nee BECKERS, Anneke was born and educated in Rotterdam in The Netherlands where her early school years were during the German Occupation (1940-1945). The family survived the bombardment on Rotterdam in May 1940 and the Hunger Winter from 1944-1945, before the liberation in May 1945. Anneke went to a soup kitchen where children of her age received meals.
Like her mother, her love of young children led Anneke to receive training in Early Childhood Education. During these studies in her teenage years, Anneke formed a close friendship of over 70 years with Maryka, now also living in the Comox Valley.
In the mid-1960s, after further training and teaching in The Netherlands and being a “Nanny” in England, Anneke followed her brother to Canada and taught in private kindergartens in Montreal before moving to Victoria. While teaching there in private kindergartens she studied at the University of Victoria to fully qualify as a Kindergarten teacher in British Columbia.
She then accepted the offer of a position at Courtenay Elementary School where she taught for twenty years (1974-1994), making a positive lasting impact on the lives of many young children and their families in the Comox Valley.
Anneke also contributed greatly to the community. Always humble, generous, thoughtful and kind, she was a willing helper working quietly behind the scenes. Valuing the importance of Education, Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Violence Prevention and Assistance of Victims, Anneke lived what she believed as an active member of St. George’s United Church where she looked after the Library for many years, and as a long-time member of Soroptimist International of Courtenay, Amnesty International, and HelpAge Canada.
Enjoying live music, she attended classical concerts locally and for many years played her violin, a gift from her father when she was fifteen years old, for Co-Val Choristers performances.
Anneke is also known for her love of nature, particularly the birds and wildflowers in local mountains and islands, her enjoyment of her garden, and her sense of humour, laughter, and impish grin.
She valued friendships and had many long-time friends from wherever she lived, keeping in touch with letters and cards, as she did with family. Skilled in needlework taught by her mother who had a special education in this as a young girl, Anneke also sent beautiful lovingly-made gifts, often in celebration of births in the family, and was a major contributor to a centennial banner for St. George’s United Church in 2013.
Anneke greatly appreciated the help of close friends and volunteers over the past year so that she could live independently, visits as permitted at the hospital, the 24- hour a day Vigil by Church members and close friends for her last week, and the special visits from her niece in September and a nephew in her last three days.
She was also grateful for the many years of medical care by Dr. Kevin Swanson and compassionate care on unit 3A at North Island Hospital Comox Valley.
Anneke was predeceased by her sisters Ina and Els and brother Jan and is survived by a niece, five nephews, and several great nephews and nieces in The Netherlands, England and USA.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. George’s United Church, Courtenay, at 2 pm, Saturday 20 November 2021.
Donations in Anneke’s memory can be made to the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada https://soroptimistfoundation.ca or to any of her favourite charities. Obituary-