VELLEKOOP, Ann - (August 31, 1930 - March 13, 2021) -
The third of five siblings, Ann was born to Arie and Im Glas on August 31, 1930 in Broek op Langendijk, The Netherlands. Ann delighted in the fact that she shared her birthday with then Queen Wilhelmina and that August 31 was a Dutch national holiday. As an adult, Ann was able to recount her fond memories of a happy childhood in vivid detail.
Ann and her siblings had close family ties and were avid readers. Ann also enjoyed reciting poetry. She especially looked forward to summer visits with her beloved Tante Ma Glas. Although their lives changed drastically during the German occupation of The Netherlands in WWII, Ann and her siblings were sustained by the indomitable strength and faith of their loving parents.
Like many other Europeans affected by the devastation caused by war, the Glas family emigrated to Canada in 1951. After several moves in Ontario, they settled in Toronto where they joined a welcoming Christian and immigrant community.
Ann built her hairdressing career with fearless confidence, despite initially limited English and experience. She had a special rapport and sisterly solidarity with her customers. She worked in salons and eventually, on her own. Ann's fluency and vocabulary grew rapidly due to her interactions with her customers, her facility with language and her extensive reading.
Ann was an active member of a Christian Reformed Church young people's group where she met the dashing Morris (Marinus) Vellekoop. They were married on July 5, 1952 and had four children over the next decade: Ingrid, Michael, David and Maurice.
Soft-spoken with a dry wit, Ann was always well-dressed, elegant and often described as beautiful. She worked tirelessly as a hairdresser while also raising her family. Like her mother Im, Ann was adept at sewing and decorative cross-stitching and needlepoint. She also enjoyed doll-making.
Another aspect of her creativity was writing. Later in life after teaching herself to type, she completed a correspondence course in children's literature, drawing from childhood memories for her charming short stories.
At the age of 52 while working at a job she enjoyed, Ann suffered a severe and debilitating stroke which affected her right side. Never one to give in to self-pity, she remained steadfast in her faith and refused to let her declining mobility hinder her activities. She faced the limitations left by her stroke with grace and dignity.
Ann was the glue who held her family together by hosting family functions like birthdays and holidays . She cared for Morris as well as she could until his passing in 2007.
Also in 2007, Ann moved from her Etobicoke townhouse to an apartment in Holland Christian Homes in Brampton where she led an active social life. Ann participated in women's Bible study and prayer groups at Holland Christian Homes. She also served as an elder in the Christian Reformed Church.
When her mobility issues were too overwhelming and she became increasingly frail, Ann lost her valued independence and moved to the long-term care wings of Holland Christian Homes. She received excellent care and remained unscathed in her private room in Grace Manor from the raging Covid-19 pandemic that took so many precious lives.
However, her health continued to decline. Ann's family felt very blessed that they were able to visit her during her last days, resting assured that she died peacefully after a long and painful struggle.
Ann's bright spirit will be deeply missed by her family and friends. But they will always be grateful for the love, faith, creativity and strength she inspired.
Ann is survived by her brother, Neil Glass and sister, Alice Kooy Glas (husband Kees Kooy), Her sister-in-law Ena Vellekoop, Her daughter, Ingrid Vellekoop; son, Michael Vellekoop; son, David Vellekoop (wife, Angela Vellekoop) and son, Maurice Vellekoop (partner, Gordon Bowness) Grandchildren, Andrew Vellekoop (wife, Mehak Vellekoop) Emily Gourlay (husband, Austin Gourlay) and Peter Vellekoop. Great grandchild, Charlotte Gourlay and any loving nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted with Ward funeral homes.
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