Mary Van Dongen

Dear family Van Dongen, cousins and cousines. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of you with this great loss. Your mom, my aunt Mary (or taante Rie as we used to call her), was a gem of mankind, a very nice person whom I got to know (a bit) when I stayed in Canada during my PhD-period. I visited your mom and dad twice in 1989 and later in 1991 again when I came over with my mom, your aunt Nelly. My mom and yours were very close sisters, and almost look-a-likes in many ways. I recall seeing her with Easter in 1989 when I stayed at your parents' place for some time that the resemblance with my mother struck me and I almost felt seeing (and hugging) my own mom. During that stay many of you were there (over the Easter days) and I got to know you better. Best image there was Barry (with a Batman drawn on his face) looking (carrying a bucket!) for the easter eggs hidden by your mom, and your mom walking around amidst of her egg-searching grandchildren with a paper listing where again it was she hid all those eggs...so she would know and be able to help some to find those eggs... But in the evening you all left and I remembered talking to your parents all night. We discussed any item in an open and honest way, and a lot of their past and pioneering adventure they both embarked on in the 50's. It was very impressive to me, both your dad and mom told me so much about my mom and dad, my grandparents (whom I hardly have known), the time during the war (the occupation of Rijen by the nazi's), and they showed me pictures I've had never seen before. It was in all very inspiring and gave me an understanding of what they went through, not at all easy and at times hard and gruesome. How they coped and felt support of their believe and religion. And two years later it was super nice to see how ours moms connected and celebrated their being together once more to chat about what-not. Sadly, nobody lives forever, and now also tante Rie deseased. I sympathise fully and deeply with you, and want to wish you strength to cope with this immense loss, this reference point in your lives. Warm regards and a hug to you all. Hope to see you all again someday. Bert

Very sorry for the loss of your Mother our deepest sympathy Ambrose and Brenda

To the VanDongen Family, Our condolences. My mother was a vanDongen (Antonia Hamers van Dongen), second cousin to both your parents. We have had some enjoyable visits in the past and will remember both your parents as “gezellige brabanders”. Chris and Annalies Hamers, Gorrie Ontario.

Veel sterkte voor jullie allemaal. Tijdens onze vakantie hebben we jullie moeder leren kennen als een lieve, belangstellende en gastvrije tante. Zo zal ze in onze herinnering blijven bestaan. Lieve groeten van Guus en Carla uit Hilvarenbeek