It is with bitter sweet hearts that we announce the passing of Joanne Catherine Siroen into the loving arms of Jesus. She was the beloved wife and best friend of Arnold Siroen (2011) for 53 years. Much loved mom of Leeanne and (Don) Feeney, Connie and (Herm) Vanderheyden, Terri-Lynn and (Don) VanHerk and Carla-Mae and (Jim) Nyenhuis. Proud Nanny of Chris Feeney (Nadia), Mark, Katelynn and Gregory Feeney; Jessica Gravelle (Tom Gravelle), Elisha (Nathan Hooper), Nathanael Vanderheyden (Sara), Jacinta (Matthew Grootjen) and Kateri Vanderheyden; Jacinta (Tye Davey), Jocelyn, Victoria, Daryn, Shawn and Shaelyn VanHerk and Luke Nyenhius (Emily), Austin, Joel, Noah, Jonah, Sam, Isaac, and Levi Nyenhuis. Great Nanny of Parker Feeney; Jacob Gravelle; Ethan, Isaac and Adelynn Hooper; Noah and Leah Vanderheyden and Ilena Nyenhuis. Dear daughter of the late John and Anne Berendsen. Cherished sister of John Berendsen (Mein), Anne (Pete DeBrouwer), Trudy DeVries, and Wilma (Joe VanRyswick). Lovingly remembered sister-in-law Anne Berendsen, Corrie Siroen, Trudy Rovers (Bill), Nellie Verwaayen (Tony), Josie VanMoorsel (Arnold), Joanne Verwaayen (Theo), Gerry Siroen (Lieva), Wilemein Wardell (Evan). Predeceased by son-in-law Ben Vanderschot; siblings Tony, Dora and Peter; brother-in-laws Peter Klomp, Tony Siroen, Tony VanBree, Martin Siroen, Gerrit Siroen (in Infancy), and sister-in-law Mary Van Bree.
Joanne was the 3rd oldest of 8 children, born in Schinveld, Limburg, The Netherlands. In 1953 she immigrated with her family to Canada. On April 26, 1958 she married her sweetheart Arnold and together they raised their 4 daughters. Joanne was an incredible and talented seamstress. Her ability to create patterns from items we had eyed in the store kept each of us girls in fashion at a fraction of the cost. Mom was a tea drinker. Many a deep and meaningful conversation happened over a pot of tea. The best stories of life in Holland, the war and her love affair with dad were shared over a hot cup of tea. Joanne was a firm believer of the importance of marriage and family. She was passionate about her faith and lived it out with an incredible devotion especially to the Blessed Mother Mary. She holds a special place in her heart for all young people whom she has been involved with throughout her life through COR, Steubenville and Medjugorje for Youth pilgrimages. As we gathered together around mom’s bedside in her final days, we listened to and sang along with “The Sound of Music”, prayed the rosary, laughed and shed some tears. Mom rallied hard the last few days and we attributed it to her wanting just one more sleepover with her girls! We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share that precious time with mom knowing that she was surrounded by “all her favourite things”! She was and always will be an inspiration to us and now has the incredible task of interceding for us until we are reunited once again. Even though we cannot imagine life without her, her zeal for life and her grace and courage in accepting her cross will be in our memories forever.
Family and friends will be received at W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. Parish prayers at 1:45 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Kinkora, on Saturday, December 16 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in St. Patrick’s Catholic School Gymnasium. Interment in Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Mary for Youth, Family Foundations Institute or the charity of one’s choice through the funeral home. 519.271.7411. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
