Emmy Droog

DROOG , Emmy 1951 - 2010 Emmy Petronella Droog, beloved wife of Tom Droog of De Winton (formerly of Bow Island), passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the age of 59 years. Emmy was a loving wife and a dedicated mother to Randy (Lisa Boulet) Droog of London, Ontario and Christy (Oscar) Strom of Lethbridge. Emmy was an incredible grandma to Gabriel, Micah and Annika Strom as well as Cassidy Degenstein and Cadence Boulet. Emmy also leaves behind numerous brothers and sisters as she was the youngest of eleven siblings. Emmy fought a long and hard battle with cancer and she surrendered to it with the grace and dignity with which she lived her life. She possessed a fierce strength and fought the battle with her own strong conviction following what she believed in. Emmy was born March 1, 1951 in Hoorn, Holland and immigrated to London, Ontario in 1971. She met Tom at a dance in London where she was forever changed in many ways. She immigrated for the second time to Alberta. They married in 1975. Tom and Emmy's marriage was strong and one that has stood the test of time. Together they founded Spitz Sunflower Seeds and worked alongside each other with teamwork most only dream of. That is not to say there were not ups and downs but Emmy was able to bring Tom's dreams to completely new levels. Their marriage is one many have said is "for the books". Aside from the business, she reveled in her grandchildren and the joy they brought her. Tom and Emmy also had extensive involvement with Friends of the Orphans Canada. Each year they organized a charity golf tournament and went on a yearly trip to help build orphanages in Guatemala and Peru. This is a project Tom and Emmy both hold dear to their hearts. Emmy had a passion for alternative healing and was always willing to try new treatments. She also had a passion for the outdoors and loved lots of trees and flowers. To honor that, Tom planted lots of trees surrounding the home they lived in for thirty-three years and they tended to their flower gardens faithfully. Emmy was always at peace in the mountains and enjoyed their majestic beauty. Two years ago after the sale of Spitz they moved to their sanctuary near Calgary where she dreamed of having her Peace Garden amongst the trees. Emmy goes on to eternity welcomed with open arms by her grandson Gabriel Strom. She was also predeceased by her parents Johannes and Martha Van Diepen and her brothers Piet and Jan Van Diepen. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1113 - 1 Street East, Bow Island on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1113 - 1 Street East, Bow Island on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Fred Monk, Celebrant. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at www.southlandfuneral.com . If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Emmy's name may be made directly to Friends of the Orphans Canada (FOTOCAN), RR1 Site 16 Box 25, De Winton, Alberta T0L 0X0. Arrangements in care of SOUTHLAND FUNERAL CHAPEL, Taber. Phone: 1-888-223-0116.