Dirkje van den Andel Obituary - Burlington, Ontario | Guelph Line Smith's Funeral Home
Smith's Funeral Homes Logo

This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Dirkje van den Andel. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

Thank you.

Cancel
Select Candle

Obituary for Dirkje "Ditty" van den Andel (Mol)

Dirkje "Ditty"  van den Andel (Mol)
van den Andel, Dirkje “Ditty”-
Sadly on November 13, 2017 in her 93rd year, Ditty quietly passed away. Wife of the late Jan van den Andel, mother to Peter, Hilda (Bill) Blight, Ellen, and Diana (Ron) Budreau. Grandmother to Mary-Ellen, Erin-Nicole, Adam, Andrew, Jamie, Thomas, Katherine and Scott. She was great-grandmother to 5.
Ditty was born April 23, 1924 in Soerabaja, Dutch West Indies (Indonesia) to Henk and Hermina Mol. She had an older sister Lida, and a younger sister Mieke. At the age of 10, her family returned to Holland on a sabbatical, but did not return to Indonesia because of rising tensions in the area. They settled in Ziest, Holland where Ditty spent her teenage years and endured the war and the occupation of Holland by the Germans. Ditty did her nursing training at St. Elisabeth Gasthuis in Haarlem starting in 1947 and obtaining her General Nursing diploma in 1950, her Maternity Nursing in 1952 and Pediatric Nursing in 1953.
In Haarlem she met Jan van den Andel. The two were married in June 1954 and shortly after emigrated to Canada, landing in Montreal on September 28, 1954. They eventually settled in Hamilton, where Jan had managed to get a job with Westinghouse. Ditty quickly became a full time mother as the family expanded to three children by end of 1957. They proudly purchased a home on Old Orchard Road in Burlington and moved there in 1960. The family expanded to four children when the youngest daughter was born 1963.
Ditty had many hobbies and interests throughout the years. She enjoyed many forms of needlework and embroidery, always producing handmade items for her children and grand children. She was an avid gardener and nature lover and the family frequently visited the various sites from the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens. Annual family camping trips started in 1965 eventually covering Canada from coast to coast, in order to explore the wonders of this vast country they had adopted as their own. As the children grew up and she had more time, Ditty started volunteering in the local school library, at the RBG and various clubs and organizations.
In later years Jan and Ditty expanded their travels globally, visiting many parts of Europe, Russia, China, Indonesia, Tibet, Bankok and more. These trips were often made together with several of their close friends and family which made them even more enjoyable.
Ditty always made great effort to stay in touch with friends and acquaintances, remembering birthdays and other significant dates. She was always there to help and listen. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The family will receive guests at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Sunday, November 19 from 10:30 am. followed by a short service at 11:30 a.m. with lunch reception to follow. Donations in memory of Ditty to the Royal Botanical Gardens would be appreciated.
Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos
Share by: