BIJLOO-MAAN, Elsje (Els) - Elsje (Els) Bijloo Maan, age 93, passed from this life to the next on May 16, 2020 at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener with one of her children by her side and Dad and others present virtually.
Born to parents Abraham and Elsje Bijloo on February 15, 1927 in Schiedam, Netherlands, Mom was the youngest of 9 children. She married Antoon Maan in May 1954 and they immigrated to Kingston, Ontario, Canada, later that same year. After more than 50 years in Kingston, Mom and Dad moved in 2007 to Holland Christian Homes in Brampton.
After enduring weeks of loneliness caused by physical isolation precautions against Covid-19, Mom came to live with one of her children in Kitchener. It was in Kitchener 4 weeks later, while the tulips were blooming, that she had a massive stroke that ended her life on earth.
Mom was a follower of Jesus – a child of the King – washed clean by Jesus’ blood. She showed her love for Jesus by acts of service and kindness. She was a person of principle and strong convictions. There are many principles she learned in her parents’ home that she carried her whole life: never leave a debt unpaid, always tell the truth, work hard, and wash your hands. She had a resilience that was forged in the experience of living in the Netherlands during World War II.
She had an incredible memory for dates, experiences and wise sayings. She often recalled wise things her beloved father, mother and siblings said. She enjoyed very happy memories of her teen years in Schiedam’s “Huishoud en Industrieschool” (vocational school) where she learned to be a skilled seamstress and housekeeper.
She and Dad enjoyed volunteering at the Friendship group in Kingston. She was a committed visitor to people who could not get out. She volunteered for decades at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Extendicare in Kingston, and another decade in Faith Manor at Holland Christian Homes where Dad now lives.
She delighted in Psalms, clean laundry on the line and the sun on her face. She had a good sense of humour and laughed with a hearty whoop. She enjoyed daily calls on the phone. She loved children and delighted in her 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-‐grandchildren. She was a supportive friend and neighbour to many in Kingston and at Holland Christian Homes.
Mom was the last surviving member of her family of birth. She is survived by her husband Antoon, her children Annette (John), Elsa, Tony (Mary-‐Ann), Cathy (Albert) and Judy (Wayne). Oma to grandchildren Diane (Dave), Mark (Ashley), Craig, Chris, Sheri, Robyn (Mark), Aaron (Erika), Evan, Chad, Elaine, Miriam and Anna and great-grandchildren Reuben (Deanna), Max, Liv, Laila, Megan, Matilda, Owen, Lauren, Toby, Heidi, Frank and Norah. She was predeceased by great-‐granddaughter Macy Love.
Remembered warmly by friends in Kingston and Brampton and nieces and nephews in the Netherlands.
In light of the recent Covid-19 Pandemic, visitation and burial will take place in private. A memorial service will be held, following burial, outside the windows of Faith Manor so Dad can participate from the other side of the glass.
{fastsocialshare