Obituary of Antoinette Koene

ANTOINETTE KOENE Age 83 years Antoinette was born in Baarn, The Netherlands on May 24, 1930 to Balthazar Burgman and Gijsberta (nee Smit) Burgman. She survived World War II in which she lost her father and a brother. While in the Netherlands, she worked as a tailor and loved to play korfball and swim. As a young adult, Antoinette became part of a church community and her faith in God became a constant for the rest of her life. In 1952 she immigrated to Canada, settling in Oshawa, where she met Isaak. They shared their life for 57 years and had 11 children together. Antoinette’s passions included children, sewing, camping, traveling, and gardening. After Isaak died three years ago, Antoinette found much solace and purpose in being with grandchildren, children, and spending time outdoors in her yard. Antoinette lived and taught love and open-heartedness to us. After a period of illness with cancer, Antoinette died peacefully in her home, while being held by her son David and daughter-in-law Elizabeth, on October 2, 2013 Beloved wife of the late Isaak. Dear mother of Willem (Grace) Koene; Coba Koene; Jake (Jane) Koene; Bob Koene; Albert (Annette) Koene; Isaac Koene (Sheryl Hunter); Antoinette Koene (Robert Konopasek); Piet (Rosa) Koene; Miriam (Laura) Bonnett-Koene; Job (Lyndsay) Mollins Koene and David (Elizabeth) Guillaume-Koene. Cherished Oma of Elisa (Gregory) Koene-Tremblay, Christopher (Austin Klein), Judith (Daniel) Henderson, Anita (Michael) Soots, Sara, Catherine, Miriam, Jordanne, Hayley, Isaac, Johannes, Piet-Albert, Damian, Sean, Christian, Amanda, Job, David, Thomas and great-Oma of Zachary, Samuel, Isabella, Martin, Acacia, Carter and Adrien. Dear sister of Anneke, Balthus, Ben, Jan, Laurens, Loes and the late Jans, Roel, Coba, Hannie, Gijs, Ab, Sonja and Wil.