Petronella Anna KEMPFF

1930 - 2021

Petronella Anna Kempff nee Roggenkamp born February 6, 1930 passed away peacefully at Canterbury Gardens in Peterborough, Ontario on February 11, 2021 at the age of 91. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Johan (John) (d.2006) and caring mother to her children, the late John Jr. (d. 1990), Alice and her late husband Wayne Newman (d. 2013) of Vancouver and George and his wife Heather (Scott) of Burlington. Beloved Oma to Morgan and Jordan. She was also a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews in the Netherlands and the United States. Anna was born into a loving and warm family in the town of Delfzijl, The Netherlands. Her parents, Cornelius (1888-1980) and Carolina (1894-1985) gave Anna and her sister Cornelia (1924-2014) a carefree and joyous childhood. This was interrupted in 1940 when the Germans occupied the Netherlands and they were forced to leave their home so the army commander could use their house as his own. During the final two weeks of the war in 1945, Anna and her family had to live in their underground shelter while the Canadian Army conducted one of the last major battles of the war to liberate Delfzijl. In the weeks following the end of the war Anna made sure she watched the Canadians conduct their daily parade march while playing "The Maple Leaf Forever", a song she would love for the rest of her life. While studying Biology at the University of Groningen in 1949 she met the love of her life, Johan. Anna followed Johan to Canada in 1955 and spent her first summer working as a bank teller in Toronto before she went to Hamilton, Ontario where she received a scholarship to pursue a Master's Degree in Marine Biology at McMaster University. After receiving her Master's Degree Anna returned to the Netherlands while Johan studied for his Radiology specialty in London, England. Anna and Johan were then married in 1957 in the Netherlands. They returned to Toronto where Johan was a Radiologist at St. Michael's Hospital and Anna taught at the University of Toronto. In 1963 Anna, Johan and their two children moved to Peterborough, Ontario and had their third child. The years that followed were filled with many family vacations throughout Canada, the United States and Europe, along with summers at the family cottage on Stoney Lake. Anna learned how to water ski in her early 40's and took-up cross country skiing soon after. Anna was a dedicated enthusiast of the arts visiting museums wherever she traveled and volunteering for many years at the Peterborough Art Gallery. She was also a member of Trinity United Church and a proud member of the Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women. After living 52 years in the house that she and Johan built, Anna moved to Canterbury Gardens to spend her final years. Anna lived for her family and gave her children the same carefree joyous childhood she had. She loved Canada, yet never forgot her Dutch roots. The family wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to all the staff of Canterbury Gardens and Dr. Jeff Neville for taking such good care of Anna. Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private family service will take place. In lieu of flowers, donations to MADD Canada would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.comstockkaye.com.