Obituary of van GEEL – Cornelia Corry Jacoba

November 13, 1923 – October 27, 2010 It is with sad hearts that our family announces the passing of our much loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Cornelia Jacoba “Corry” van Geel on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at the age of 86 years. She passed away peacefully at Father Lacombe Care Centre surrounded by family and friends. Corry was born in Meester Cornelis (Jakarta), Indonesia moving to the Netherlands with her family as a young girl. Upon completing her university education in Amsterdam, Corry returned to Indonesia as a physiotherapist for the Dutch Armed Forces. It was there she met her future husband, Tony, who was one of her many patients. In 1955, Corry immigrated to Canada with her husband and young daughter. She loved life in Canada and embraced everything about her adopted homeland. After arriving in Calgary, Corry began work in the Physiotherapy Department at the Calgary General Hospital. Later, at the age of forty-three, she returned to university, completing her Baccalaureate and Diploma of Education. She was employed with the Calgary Board of Education as an elementary school teacher until her retirement in 1988. She will be greatly missed by her children, Marjolein (Bob) Havens, Michael (Susan) van Geel, and Jeffrey van Geel. Corry was a wonderful “Oma” to Jorja, Erin, Mark, Kaitlin, Nicole, Jacob and Zachary; as well as to five great-grandchildren, Paige, Devon, Owen, Elyse and Kendra. She will also be missed by her niece Debby (Mark) Harper. Corry was predeceased by her parents, Johannes and Catharina Hop; brother Joop Hop; sister Tina Jole; brother-in-law Reis Jole, as well as Tony van Geel. Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Corry’s Life on what would have been her eighty-seventh birthday, Saturday, November 13, 2010, in the Chapel at the Father Lacombe Care Centre (332 – 146 Avenue S.E. Calgary) at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, or to the Salvation Army, 420 – 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0R9 Telephone: (403) 410-1111, . The family wishes to thank the caregivers at the Sarcee Care Centre, and especially the kind staff of Father Lacombe Care Centre, for their genuine and compassionate care over the last three years. In living memory of Corry van Geel, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.