Josephine Elisabeth Treffers

Josephine (Josie) was born on March 2nd, 1929 in Deventer, The Netherlands. She grew up alongside her six siblings with her mother and father. When she was 28 she immigrated to Canada and landed in Montreal. She started her work career being the Secretary to the head of the Dutch branch of the Canadian Immigrant Services helping place Dutch farmers on Canadian fields. In 1960 she married Hans Treffers. They moved to Waterloo Ontario to finish his studies in electrical engineering and she worked as a medical stenographer. They relocated to Ottawa and became the parents of two daughters, Maryann and Jackie.

In 1973 the family moved to Winnipeg where they endured the cold winters and hot summers for ten years before being finally transferred to Vancouver, settling in Coquitlam, a dream of Josie’s.

After Hans’ retirement and the growing busyness of Coquitlam they were ready for another move. Thinking they would go to the Interior and possibly settle in Kelowna they found out their first grandchild was due and so settled closer to the family in what was then the quiet, rural community of Chilliwack in 1993.

There they became immersed in the Dutch community meeting wonderful friends through the church and in the growing community. Hans later passed away in 2005.

Josie met John Vollebregt at St. Mary’s some years later and their initial connection turned into love and then marriage. They were married in 2014. She was welcomed into his family by his three daughters and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Josie’s passions were walks in nature, traveling and volunteering in her church and community. She was a long-time proud member of the CWL of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and very involved with her bible study group. She was a Meals on Wheels volunteer, helped offload the burden of care from families suffering from Alzheimer’s, volunteered at Minter Gardens, and many other community endeavours.

Shortly after a grand celebration of her 90th birthday she suffered a massive stroke which left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to speak. As this happened at the beginning of Covid, she was separated from her family and friends during her rehabilitation and ultimately placed in long term card. John passed away during this time.

Her daughters have been making bi-monthly trips to Chilliwack to make her life as enjoyable as possible. Up until last year, they were able to take her out for lunches, walks along the Vedder River, the Hope River Rotary Trail, the Blue Heron Sanctuary for picnics, Harrison Hot Springs for lunches, visits to Sechelt for Christmas and she was even able to attend her granddaugther’s wedding on the Sunshine Coast.

Josie had lived a very long and good life and was ready to reunite with all her family and friends who had gone to the Lord before her.

Josie was predeceased by all of her siblings (Ida, Frida, Willie, Richard, Dini, and Bert), her husbands Hans Treffers and John Vollebregt. She is survived by her loving daughters Maryann Treffers, Jackie Cross (Patrick), three grandchildren Connor, Braedan and Kerri (Jacob), three step-daughters Cori Plante (Eric), Cathy Dureen (Mel) and Jenny Adolph, and numerous nieces and nephews.