GOERTZEN, Johanna
August 31, 1921 ~ October 21, 2013
Johanna Catharina Goerzen of Lethbridge, AB, beloved wife of the late John Goerzen, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2013 at the age of 92 years.
Joanne was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on August 31, 1921 to Gerrit and Trijntje van Hulst. She was the eldest of eight siblings all working or attending school in Rotterdam, until the second World War suddenly interrupted their laughter, hopes and dreams. By God’s grace her family was spared and in the late 1940’s Joanne immigrated to Ontario, Canada where she and her late husband Roy Milton Hancock started their lives. In 1967 they moved to Lethbridge with their children, Evelyn Hancock of Calgary, Ken (Barb) Hancock of Calgary, Julie (Jim) Matthews of Lethbridge and Richard Hancock of Lethbridge (deceased March 15, 2009).
Joanne was blessed with grandchildren Alicia (Mark) Bulmer, Nathan (Alexis Pooley) Matthews, Amara (Tomas Morante) Matthews, Meghan Wolfe, Derek Wolfe, Taryn Hancock, Stacy Hancock, and Ryan (Nadia) Hancock, and great-grandchildren Ira Matthews and Wynton Morante.
Joanne so dearly loved her sisters, brothers and their families Connie (Cor) Delight, Leah (Harry deceased) Newhouse, Trudy (Gail deceased) Dyreng, Armond (Nancy) van Hulst, Aaron (deceased) van Hulst, George (Rit) van Hulst, France (Hennie) van Hulst, both deceased.
Her employment included Joanne’s Dog Grooming, Consignment Clothing, Lifetime Cookware, Electrolux Vacuums, Retail Sales, Carpet Cleaning and Water Purification Systems. She enjoyed family, vacations, walks in the coulees, pottery, painting, her many pets, reading and crossword puzzles.
A special heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Good Samaritan Society Park Meadows Village, who cared for Joanne. Joanne will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered.
At Joanne’s request a private family service will be held.