Francisca Verhoeven

July 15, 1923 - June 24, 2020

Verhoeven, Francisca - On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, Francisca Verhoeven (nee VanMierlo), age 96, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. She is now reunited with her beloved husband Adrian (1917-1995). Frances was born in Deurne, North Brabant, Holland on July 15, 1923. Cisca married Adrian on October 15, 1947. With 2 children and 1 on the way, they immigrated to Canada in 1951. After much hard work they were able to purchase their farm on Egremont Road, Plympton-Wyoming, where they farmed and raised their 8 children. Their hard work continued, keeping laying hens, raising pullets and growing various crops. They were proud to have their sons John and James, and later their grandsons Chris and Ben Verhoeven, continue farming on Egremont Road when they retired and moved to the town of Camlachie. They became part of the large Dutch farming community in this area and were always willing and learning to be fluent in the English language. They faithfully attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church and were proud to become part of the Plympton-Wyoming community. They formed many strong friendships here and in Fort Myers, Florida, where they spent their winters for so many years. Mom was incredibly strong and hardworking and we will always remember her fierce competitiveness especially at card or board games. Mom was the true matriarch of the family. She was the youngest of 13, the only sibling to immigrate to Canada. She is predeceased by her 12 siblings. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, the Netherlands and Australia. When the time came, Mom and Dad moved to the Royal Leigh in Wyoming. With Dementia stealing her life from her, Mom moved to Albany Retirement Village in Petrolia where she was so blessed to have her eldest granddaughter Lesley watch over her. The family will always be so grateful for the loving care Lesley gave to grandma. As her dementia worsened, she was moved to Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia where she was lovingly cared for until her passing. Loving mother to children Riki Muir (the late Bill, 2019) Bright’s Grove, Jeannie Dubuque (Lee) Sarnia, John Verhoeven (Jo-An) Forest, Lisa McEachern (John) Collingwood, Jim Verhoeven (Kathy) Wyoming, Mary Laird (Brad) West Nipissing, Frances Jackson (Matthew), Stoney Creek, Lori Vehoeven, Sarnia. Grandchildren, Lesley Dubuque Duffy, Mike Dubuque, Nick Verhoeven (Bryanne), Ben Verhoeven (Laura), Janet McLachlin (Brian), David McEachern (Marta), Steven McEachern, Chris Verhoeven (Jaimie), Jeff Verhoeven (Heather), Brian Verhoeven (Lisa Allen), Jennifer Urbanski (John), Chelsley Laird (Seamus Heffernan), Sara Greco (Paul), Amy deBernardi (Shelby), Carrie Jackson (Yuri Semeniuk), Phil Jackson (Danielle Rastovac). Great-grandchildren, Joshua Duffy (Madison) and Jacob Duffy, Matthew, Emily and Ben Dubuque, Adrienne Verhoeven, Sadie, William and Leo Verhoeven, Noah McLachlin, Owen, Mason and Kennedy Verhoeven, Lucas and Addison Verhoeven, Madison, Emma and Reece Urbanski, Brody Bruce. James Heffernan, Violet, Eloise and Ingrid Greco, Clarice and Marshall deBernardi, Mila and Ivan Semeniuk. Great-great-grandchild, Grayson Duffy. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Philip’s Parish, Petrolia. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside our dad. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.NeedhamJay.com