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CORNELIA DEBONDT
November 04, 1925 - September 14, 2025
BORN
November 04, 1925
DIED
September 14, 2025
CORNELIA DEBONDT Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for CORNELIA DEBONDT
Sponsored by the Victoria Times Colonist.
3 Entries
Arthur Leonard de Bondt
September 30, 2025
Dear Aunt Corry, we are saddened by your sudden passing from the Netherlands. My father, Han (John's younger brother), heard of your death after calling the local police, desperately trying to find out you hadn't answered the phone for days! The Saanich police took it very seriously and with great personal attention, and the next day they fully informed my father of your whereabouts! It turned out you had been admitted to a hospital and eventually passed away peacefully. You had told us earlier during phone calls that you were looking forward to your 100th birthday because, as a Canadian, you would receive a personal letter from "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth." You were so looking forward to it, but unfortunately, you missed out on that incredible 100-year milestone and the royal letter.
What you did achieve, and what you could look back on with pride and infinite love, was the wonderful life you shared with Jan.
As a young descendant of the de Bondt family, I received a copy of Jan's book, "Canada on Wheels," around 1970. A Dutch translation was included on typewriter paper, so I could read it as a child. Attached to one of the pages with a paperclip was a small sketch of a woodpecker perched on a tree branch, seen from the window, as you described in a small note. I often looked through it and later concluded that, just like Jan, I found the world of automobiles very interesting, and I've even been working in the automotive world for years!
Meanwhile, two new generations of de Bondts are here, and the youngest grandson has taken over the "descendant" flag.
This morning, I still have Curaçao newspaper articles by Jan from 1946 and 1949, which I tracked down during winter evenings. I read them again this morning with my father, Han. Naturally, my father shared anecdotes and memories about both of you. It was the era of the revival of the Dutch airline KLM, where Jan was press officer. We thoroughly enjoyed reading about those adventures together.
Well, Aunt Corry, we raise our glasses to your beautiful life together, and it's good to hear that you will now be reunited in eternity! I hope the many phone calls you had with Han and the photos of the youngest de Bondts that Bram and Erlijne regularly sent you were comforting! Rest in peace, Corry.
We extend our condolences to friends, neighbors, and acquaintances on the loss of Corry.
With love from the Netherlands!
Arthur L. de Bondt
On behalf of J.Ph. (Han) de Bondt, brother of John (Jan-Jaap) de Bondt
The Hague, Miriam C. de Bondt, Floor Swinckels
Zaltbommel, Karen C. de Bondt, Pieter Elias, Eva Choquet
Beers, Arthur L. de Bondt, Lilian de Bondt-Pieper
Eindhoven, Rik de Bondt, Yijun
Mook, Bram de Bondt and Erlijne de Bondt-Van der Linden, Coda, Helena-Emely
Miriam de Bondt
September 29, 2025
Although it is very sad to hear that Aunt Corry has passed away, I find comfort in knowing that she was able to remain in her own home until her very last day. She had been so looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday and receiving a special letter from the King of England. Sadly, she just missed that milestone.
She has always been in our thoughts here in the Netherlands, where she and her husband Jan de Bondt (deceased eldest brother of my 91 year old father) originally came from. I truly hope she rests in peace now.
With warm regards,
Miriam de Bondt
Neil and Denny Hughes and family.
September 26, 2025
Corrie was our friend for over 45 years. She came from Ottawa to Victoria and lived next door to us for many years. We shared many fun-filled, lively dinner parties together. Jon (her first husband) was an editor for the United Nations and they lived together in New York for quite some time. Corrie was born in Curacao and often regaled us with stories about her early life. She was pre-deceased by her sister Alice - who visited her in Canada. Corrie loved books and fine art. She and Jon had an incredible art collection.
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