October 16, 1928 - October 5, 2018
Johanna Saaltink was a nurturing and supportive mother, a strong and loyal friend, a devoted wife, a wonderful grandmother/ great-grandmother, a welcoming and generous hostess, and an unstinting contributor to the country and world which we all share.
Known to her family as Joepie, Mama Joeps, and Grootmoeder, Johanna was blessed with intelligence, a very positive and generous personality, tremendous energy, physical beauty, and a lively wit. A relentless optimist, she looked for the best in everyone she
met and stayed connected with a wide circle of family and friends through regular postcards, letters, notes and telephone calls. She was keen conversationalist, "better than the radio", sharing her interest in people, nature, history, literature, philosophy, the arts and politics with everyone she met. She was also an enthusiastic volunteer and organizer with PTA, Unitarian Fellowship, UNICEF and the Fraser Valley Naturalists.
She loved nature and the outdoors. She acquired a trove of detailed knowledge of plants and animals and was particularly interested in birds. Her daily routine included vigorous walks in all weather conditions and afternoon tea with chocolate.
Johanna was born the youngest of three children in the city of Delft in the Netherlands on Oct 16, 1928. She grew up in Delft where she met and married, Hendrik Jan Saaltink in 1948. They became a devoted couple for almost 70 years, sharing worldwide travels and adventures.
Beginning by sending each of her children to stay with their grandparents in the Netherlands, continuing with a family Christmas trip in Greece, winter camping adventures, and culminating in trips to Holland, Hawaii, Mexico, and Bali, she planned, organized, funded, and guided numerous, regular family gatherings. Through these trips she encouraged and fostered close ties and connections within the extended family.
Predeceased by granddaughter Heather Johanna Saaltink and husband Hendrik Jan Saaltink. Survived by her daughter, Elmie (Dale) and sons Guus (Mary Anne), Rik (Brenda) and Mark (Jane) and by grandchildren Christopher, Lia (Ryan), Robyn (Adam), Elexa (Peter), Emma, Philip (Leslie), Rebecca (Alex), and Owen and by great grandchildren Heath and Clara.
The family wish to thank Prairie Valley Lodge for their compassionate care.
Condolences may be shared by visiting www.everdenrust.com.
