Johanna Hendrika Fryer (Thurkow) died at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC surrounded by the love of her family. Johanna (Hannie) was born in the Netherlands. At the end of the Second World War, Hannie met Leonard Charles Fryer, a member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps. In 1947 she immigrated to Canada to marry Len, the love of her life. He had become an Anglican minister. Their first posting was the Anglican parish in Norway House, Manitoba. There she transitioned from being a city girl to living in the bush of northern Canada where there was no electricity, running water or other amenities. She learned to garden, cook on a wood stove, play the pump organ and polish her English. She loved her new home with its great beauty and wonderful, kind people. It was there that her three daughters, Elsie, Margaret and Joyce, were born. They went on to live in the Anglican parishes at Rainy River, Ontario, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba and Stonewall, Manitoba where they retired and settled.
Hannie played an active role in supporting her husband’s ministry through gracious hospitality, various women’s ministries in the churches, playing the organs, singing in their choirs and leading children’s programs. As her daughters grew up, Hannie honed her teaching skills by leading sections of the 4-H club in sewing, cooking and handicrafts. She demonstrated her excellence as a proof reader at the Springfield Leader in Lac du Bonnet. Her cooking and organizational skills came in handy when she acted as cook of the Diocese of Keewatin children’s camp at Longbow Lake. Her hobbies included gardening, singing, piano playing, puzzling and reading. In time Hannie welcomed and enjoyed her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was very proud of them and loved spending time with them.
In 2011 Hannie moved to Victoria, BC to live with her daughter, Joyce. She was predeceased by her parents Arnold C. and Neeltje (Groot) Thurkow, her husband, the Reverend Canon Leonard C. Fryer (2004) and her daughter, Margaret Hills (2021). She is survived by her sister, Hendrika (Riek) Thurkow, brother, Albert Jan Thurkow, daughters, Elsie Millerd and Joyce Dreilich, grandchildren, Sherri Lund (Scott), Bryan Dreilich (Kati), Bruce (Kim), David and Paul Millerd and Shannon Hills, and great-grandchildren, Annie, Olivia, Gavin, Kiley and Liam. She will also be lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law, Els Thurkow and Ruth Manacki, sons-in-law, Frank Millerd and Percy Hills, four nephews and one niece.
The Funeral Service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, BC on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 am PDT. Those wishing to join virtually may do so by clicking on the link below:
https://vimeo.com/682935887/24657ee599
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Darlene Williams
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Ruth Manacki The memorial service was lovely.I am blessed that technology has allowed me to be with you all in spirit. I have fond memories visiting Len and Hannie ( adventures!) at Norway House! Bless you all, aunt Ruth.
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Alex Manacki Lovely, heart warming memorial. We are blessed to have been able to get to know Aunt Hannie, and will miss her terribly, but we’ll enjoy the memories! Love to all the family, cousin Lex, June and Blair.
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Ruth Manacki The memorial service was lovely. I am blessed that technology allowed me to be there with you. My love to the whole family. My memories of Hannie and Len, and my visits (adventures!)to Norway House are fondly remembered. God Bless you all. Love, Aunt Ruth.
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Shirley Grosser My deepest condolences to the daughters of the wonderful woman! Hanni and Len were our neighbours in Norway House, and my summers included piano practice because Hanni had a piano, and she let me use it. She was a lovely, warm, vibrant young wife and mother as I remember her, with a fascinating history and romantic (to my adolescent mind.
My family loved these sweet people, and Hanni was the biggest supporter to my wary music. I loved her.
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Janet Hanly Dear Elsie and Joyce
Your Mom was such a wonderful and inspiring woman. I was always amazed by the stories from her life. I moved to Manitoba after the death of my father and was enrolled at U of M.
Your parents filled a huge void and were so kind and welcoming me in such a way that I felt a part of your family. I am grateful that God gave me the opportunity to know them and as a reult both of you and Margaret. I know how much she will be missed.
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Sharon and Doug Woodley Dear Elsie and Frank,
I remember meeting your mother, Hannie, a few times over the years when she visited you in Kitchener. She was truly a lovely person and she was a wonderful mother for you. I am so pleased to have read that she had a long and fruitful life. I hope you find peace and joy in the fine memories you have of your times together.Love, sharon
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Bronwynn Dear Joyce,
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mum.
Thank you for sharing her story, she sounded like an amazing woman.
God’s Blessing,Bronwynn
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Wendy Zeemel Dear Joyce and Elsie, Your mom was so kind and gracious toward me and my siblings from the time we were so very young as was your father and all of you girls. It seemed that She cooked with us in mind, almost every Sunday, after Sunday School welcoming us into her home which was so warm and full of love. I don’t remember exactly the year she and Margaret came back to Lac du Bonnet for a visit. I’d already begun attending the church next door but, it was Mother’s day and I missed my mom so much that particular day and, all the ladies that raised me up in the Anglican Church that I went to their service so I could serve them lunch afterwards. Your mom walked into the kitchen at St. John’s Anglican while I was in there and it was as if God and my mom sent her to me that Mother’s Day when I so needed to feel and be touched by the heart of a mother. I left there with genuine love and peace in my heart and was so very grateful to God for putting your mother in my path, as I am now. God bless you all. Much love, Wendy Zeemel.
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Fronica Yiu Nurses Christian Fellowship Canada
Dear Elsie and Family,
Our hearts are saddened by the news that your mother went home with the Lord. She was such a lovely woman of God. May our Heavenly Father grant you peace and strength as you grieve for your loss. Your leadership and Christlike characters are great reflections from your mother. We are blessed to know you and share this moment with you. Thinking and praying for you.
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Dorothy Reimer Dear Elsie and Joyce,
It is wonderful to read of the full and rewarding life your Mother lived. How blessed you all were to have her love and mothering, her talents and example. Her adventurous and curious spirti was such a wonderful example of how to live, helping you to know that she enjoyed her long life.I am sorry for the pain you must feel at her passing but she leaves a wonderful legacy of a happy and fulfilling life.
May you know that your Mom is “Safe in God’s Hands”..which is how i like to think of our parents who are with their Lord.
Love, Dorothy Reimer
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Cathie Phillips Condolences to the family. I never met her but she must have been a wonderful woman. I have been a good friend of Elsie , whom she raised admirably, for over 5 decades. She certainly will be missed lovingly by her family. May God comfort your hearts.
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Jill Klepacki Dear Elsie and family,
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your Mother. She was a very special woman with an amazing life history. We are fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to meet her. Sending you all love and support in this difficult time.
Love your neighbours, Jill, Daryan, Poesy, and Sullivan
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Judie Schnell What a wonderful and loving tribute to such a wonderful person. She cared and shared so much. I have been blessed to receive some of her generosity. She was so kind and cared about everyone. Thanks be to God for her life and kindness. God be with and watch over all those she left behind.
We enjoyed being able to see the lovely and most fittings service for Hannie. It was so nice to be able to see you all and hear the wonderful stories of her life. Love all the songs Hannie picked out especially “His Eye is on the Sparrow” song so beautifully by the soloist.
Love to you all. God’s blessings, Darlene and George