HIEMSTRA, Pietje 'Patricia' Riemke (Van der Meer) - At age 91, Avalon Retirement Lodge, Orangeville, Ontario, passed away peacefully in Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, on Wednesday January 30, 2019.
Born August 13, 1927 in Parrega, Friesland, Netherlands, she was the youngest daughter of the late Ate and Riemke (Huisman) Van Der Meer.
In 1947 she married Andries (Andy) Hiemstra of Oudega. The couple moved to Canada in 1953 with their young son John and daughter Reta and settled in Orangeville where they resided happily for over 65 years. Pat was no stranger to hard work: she was a house cleaner for many years, then served as a sales clerk at Economy Fair, Korsten’s Jewelers and finally at The Old Country Deli where her smile would welcome many an Orangeville resident.
Andy and Pat were faithful members of Tweedsmuir Memorial Presbyterian Church and for many years Pat sang in the church choir and was a member of the Ladies’ Fellowship group and the Women’s Missionary Society. She also volunteered for
the Red Cross and was an avid member of the Horticultural Society.
Pat’s love of gardening was evident in their beautiful gardens on Elizabeth Street. Many will also remember them as the “early birds” of the lawn sales.
Pat is survived by her three children John (Arlene) Hiemstra, Reta Favrod and Kathy (Richard) Baker; two granddaughters Marieke Favrod and Susanne (Andrew) Gage; and one great-granddaughter Courtney Patricia Gage. She was pre-deceased by husband Andy (March 2013); brother Roelof (1945) and sisters Zus, Siem, Wieke and Hinke.
Visitation will be held on Thursday February 7, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Orangeville. The funeral will follow at 2:30 p.m., Rev. Creola Simpson officiating. A brief reception will follow the service. A spring interment will follow. This will be a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tweedsmuir Memorial Presbyterian Church, or a charity of choice.
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