Anneke Christiansen

Anneke Jacoba Christiansen (Kleibrink) RN1941 - 2000Anneke, wife of Ron and mother to Mark and Erik, joined her Saviour on Saturday, September 30, 2000. Anneke was born and raised in Leiden, the Netherlands, where she attended both public and high school. After attending Oude An Niewe in Delft, Anneke received her Certification as a Registered Nurse and served her first posting with the Seaman's Hospital in Delft. Fulfilling her life-long ambition for travel and adventure, Anneke first moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where she served with the Royal Infirmary. Following a two-year term in Scotland, Anneke accepted a position with the Port Arthur General Hospital and immigrated to Canada in 1965. Since 1979 Anneke has been employed with the Ministry of Health and has worked with both the Northwest Regional Centre and the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. Anneke was predeceased by her father the renowned Dutch Photographer, Resistance Partisan, Film Maker, Astronomer and recipient of the Netherlands, Order of the Orange-Nassau, Hermanus Kleibrink and her mother highly regarded Pharmacist Anti (Postma) Kleibrink. She is survived by her husband Ron, sons Mark and Erik and daughter in-law Linda. As well she leaves cousins Joke (Jean Pierre) Martinoli, Geneva, Switzerland, Ross (Corrine) Kleibrink and Janice (Jeff) Gliege in Lethbridge, Alberta, Richard (Shannon) Torri and Kyler Kleibrink in Calgary, and Candace (Rob) Saia of Rockledge, Florida. In closing we would like to acknowledge those of you who have offered our family such comfort, love and support during these difficult times. In particular Russ Nycrum, David Solem, Glen Bayes, Lorne Clifford, Terry Walls, Harold Hunt, Rob Guadagnolo, Dave Marshalok, Steve Maki, Julia Ellard, Gail Marshall, Willy Templeman, Meta Traas, Pat and Dave Smith, Louise Trevasonuto, Maryka Westbrook, Dr Jennifer Fulford, Dr Trudy Lynn Mahood, Dr Lynn Vanderberg and the truly wonderful nurses and caregiver - Karen Benson, Linda Bosh, Tammy Hawkins, Gen Pylypchukand other healthcare professionals, close friends and family that treated our Anneke with such dignity and love throughout her final days. To all of you, we offer our heartfelt thanks and wish you 'God's unending peace'. The Memorial service will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Perish with both pastor Mathew Diegel and Harold Hunt presiding on the Wednesday October 4, 2000 at 1:00 p.m.Anneke, you took me into your house, into your arms, and into your life with a smile and total acceptance.You never expected anything from me except to love your son, which was very easy to do. Every time you saw me, you would smile and say, there's my girl, you were right, I am your girl and always will be. You were everything a second mother should be, you were my friend and I did love you. I could come to you at anytime, ask you about anything, and know you would listen, understand and your answer was genuine, because your eyes always spoke the truth. We talked, we listened, we laughed together, we cried together, and we even enjoyed the comfortable silence. You were strong, courageous and you were not afraid, I was honored to be by your side.If I am even half the woman you were, I will be satisfied.Though miles of spacious sky have come between us, your sense of humour, laughter, expression and spirit lives on in your son, my husband...Erik. - Linda"