Roeska Manders

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved mother and Oma on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the age of 78 in the QEII Health Sciences Centre, ending her battle with Lewy Body disease.

Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1938, Roeska was the youngest daughter of Jan and Henderina deVries. Roeska and her parents immigrated to Canada in 1953 to join her siblings for a better life after the Second World War. After several years in her new country, she met the love of her life, Jan Manders. Sharing a common heritage, she fell in love with the Dutch immigrant and dashing musician, then with the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. They married in 1958 and together, raised their children in a home full of love, family, friendship and music in the then, growing community of Hammonds Plains, NS. Regular trans-Atlantic journeys back to Holland allowed them to stay connected to their family and Dutch roots.

As Roeska's family grew so did her pride in their accomplishments, their marriages and most importantly of all, her grandchildren. Mom’s heart was forever broken when she lost her beloved Jan in 2005.

Mom will be missed every day and lovingly remembered by her sons Rick and Johnny along with her daughter, Angela. Her legacy of grace, kindness and love will live on. Daughters-in-law Marilyn (Fougere), Holly (Rogers) and her self-proclaimed favorite son-in-law, Robin Godfrey will dearly miss her. Cherished memories of Oma will be forever in the hearts of her adored grandchildren Bradley, Katrina, Alexander, Olivia, Katherine, Marielle and Blake. She will be fondly remembered by her surviving sisters Corrie (Arie LePair) , Rini (Ries Spithoven), sister in law Sieni deVries, sister-in-law Liesje (Chel) numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her best friend, Bonnie Hebert (Andy).

In addition to her husband, Roeska was predeceased by her parents, brother Dirk deVries and sister Bep (Henk Willems).

Visitation will be at JA Snow Funeral Home at 339 Lacewood Dr., Clayton Park on Wednesday, Sept. 21st, 6 - 8 pm followed by the funeral service at the same location on Thursday, Sept. 22nd at 11am. Donations in her memory can be made to Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association.