|
|
Background music
sung by brother Harko
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Trijntje Wassing
Born December 3, 1924 in 'tZandt, Groningen
Trijn still
a teenager, the oldest of all the kids
One of the first
pictures taken after WW2. She is wearing clothes send to us by Uncle Derk and Aunt Grace from the USA.
Trijn as a young woman, training to be a nurse
A lovely picture
taken of Trijn in 1949
Here Trijn is
making a recording to be send to Egbert in Indonesia where he was serving in the army.
Trijn just before Egbert came home from India
Trijn having
a rest
I am sure she
is saying, "isn't life wonderful?"
|
| |
 |
|
 |
| |
Trijntje Wassing's
biography Born on December 3, 1924 at home as
the 1st and oldest daughter of Barteld Wassing and Johanna Mulder. Trijn grows up on the Godlinzerweg, 'tZandt, Groningen.
She is the only girl for several years as only boys come along and she has to help with household chores at a very young age.
She is a very happy child and is adored by the family especially grandfather Mulder who brings her all kinds of toys and clothes.
As the years go by Trijn has 7 brothers and 4 more sisters. John, Mans, Arnold, Dirk, Henny, Jean, Pat, Steve, Rick, Marcia
and Harko. The 8th. brother Johan lives only for a few days and Harko becomes and stays the youngest of the family. A large
family in a small house, where everyone still takes place. For example, the oldest children helped care for the young. And
so does Trijn, a lot is always expected of her being the oldest, she looks after the younger children and mostly she did it
with a smile. She had a temper though and could let the siblings know in no uncertain terms she was angry if they didn't follow
her orders. Which happened many times. Through it all she loved the family and gave a hand any time it was needed. Teaching
and guiding. She helped with knitting patterns and sewing. Trijn was a beautiful knitter and taught the younger girls, keeping
an eye on them always. Mom depended a lot on her to keep the little ones busy and out of her hair.
Walking
to school with each other, the Godlinzerweg to Main Street in 't Zandt. Taking sandwiches and eating them between noon and
in the afternoon going back again. Growing up in a period of economic decline and finally a threat of war. In WW2, Trijn experienced
the real danger of gunfire near the parental home.
After the war comes the time of the big
decisions. Trijn wants to become a nurse and leaves the parental home and goes to another province to start her training and
work in Loosduinen. Meanwhile, her love ,Egbert Weerd came on the scene. However, father and mother Wassing's decide together
with the children to immigrate to Canada build a new life for themselves. Trijn and Egbert and Mans and Anna decide
to remain behind in the Netherlands. It was decided that the 3 oldest family should marry before the family leaves.
On May 4, 1951 the wedding of Trijn and Egbert, John and Jannie, Mans and Anna takes place in the church, in 'tZandt,
Groningen. Mid June 1951 most of the Wassing family leave for Canada on the "Volendam" bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Canada. Trijn and Egbert live temporarily with Egbert's father and mother Weerd in Eenum. Ultimately, a home is found
for them, first in Oosterwijtwerd and then in 't Zandt behind the tower and then Oosterstraat. Egbert and Trijn lived almost
50 years at this, for many, familiar address.
In the period 1952 to 1960 see the light
of 4 children, first Willem then Johanna and Bart and last Rita. Once the children can ride a bicycle, the family make
trips: swimming behind the dike to Spijk and even the train to Den Haag! In addition to these happy moments characterizes
the lives of Trijn and Egbert by illness and physical setbacks. Often a difficult time! Egbert comes to sit at home with back
problems and Trijn goes to work. This is how she came to work for butcher Holtke, also Smedema and farmer Tammens. Also picking
apples in Spijk she does this with zest and tun. And all these efforts result in a little extra income, sorely needed at times.
The
four children make choices regarding education, partner, marry and live. Three remain close in the neighborhood, but one has
the same urges to go elsewhere the same as his maternal grandparents. Wil, the oldest becomes a teacher and moves to Scherpenzeel.Grandchildren
make the family bigger in Scherpenzeel Miriam and Roland are born there, close to home in 't Zandt, Robert and Stefan,
and Peter in Appingedam.
Also Karin, Rick, Laura and Kim have a special place in Trijn's heart. At Johanna's
they find some peace and often a cup of coffee. On Saturday Trijn and Egbert go shopping in Appingedam, and always
go to Rita and Roelof place where the coffee is ready. Bart and Hinke live nearby and they help Johanna and Sebo and Rita
and Roelof when necessary, they have them often over for parties. Scherpenzeel remains far away. In everything you notice,
that Trijn is proud of the children and grand-children. Especially when the two great-grandchildren of Roland and Karin come
on the scene: Tara and Noa.
Trijn likes to sing in the house with her daughters while doing the dishes,
with or without accompanying music, singing while babysitting Robert and Stefan, singing in the choir, singing in the church,
singing along with her favorite music, in short, Trijn sang a lot. Even during her funeral service they sang and listen to
her music. She grew up in a family that loved music and either sang in a choir or played an instrument, or both. The woman
Association asked Trijn to be president, she accepted and she fulfilled her duties scrupulously. Gymnastics and skating as
an older adult became a passion. Cooking is not a real passion hearing from witnesses and listening to the many stories doing
the rounds on the theme of milk, potatoes and eggs! Trijn had always been a good cook, she was taught by the best, her Mom,
but she was told so many times that this was not right or that was not done the way it should be, she just was not interested
in doing it any more. Many times she got side tracked and forgot about her cooking, just like some of the others in the family
did. Trijn has another handicap: color blindness. She creates the most strange and exotic color combinations in her clothes,
and sometimes during the decoration of her home. Fortunately, there were many people in her life that were willing to help
her with her disabilities and corrected her. A swimming diploma is achieved. Klaverjassen (a card game) with Egbert and other
relatives and friends. During the games the most idiotic quotes flew across the table! Robert and Stefan can be the witnesses.
The scooters is introduced and the use of this electric wonder is not always accurate, witness a parking position in the shed
behind the house, and other incidents. 45 years of coffee drinking with a number of ladies: Jantje Bolt and Betsie Koen, Annie
Stalman or Hillie Brontsema. Without the other ladies too short to do is to link with Jantje Bolt very close. Her best friends
for years. She had so many friends and had the ability to make instant friends with strangers.
And
finally Canada. The travel to, and stay in Canada for Trijn, was a feeling of coming home . In the midst of your loved ones
to talk, laugh, having fun, making a decision, making photos, travel with family from Canada to the United States. Going to
Canada was partly due to the help and assistance of the family, who loved her for what she was , a warm hearted caring
person. She made you feel loved and gave of herself with all her heart. The feeling of warmth is still there. To me,
Trijn and the others are not gone, just sleeping. We will meet each other again. Now she is safe in the arms of Jesus and all earthly things can't trouble her anymore. This
biography was written by her oldest son Wil, with input from Johanna, Bart and Rita.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
 |
| |
Trijn and Egbert Weerd on their wedding day, May 4, 1951
Trijn
passed away 27 April, 2009 in Middelstum, Groningen Egbert
passed away 17 July 2016 In Delfzijl, Groningen
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Trijn with her
oldest son Wil
|
A family picture,
I think it was Trijn and Egbert's anniversary. Not a very happy group this time
|
Trijn and Egbert
with their oldest daughter Johanna and her husband Sebo Kroes
|
Daughter Rita
and her new husband Roelof Renkema on their wedding day
|
|
Trijn and Egbert
on their 25th wedding anniversary
|
Trijn and Egbert
going to Canada for a visit
|
Trijn is giving
grandsons Robert and Stefan lunch. They are Johanna and Sebo's sons
|
Trijn and Egbert
with their family, growing as with inlaws and grandchildren and great grand children
|
|
Trijn on a visit
at her youngest daughter Rita in Appingedam.
|
Trijn on her
scooter up tZandt, she really enjoyed the mobility. Her heart and her hip were giving her a lot of trouble when she walked
|
Steve and Rick
were visiting Trijn and Egbert and some of the kids came over to have a party and enjoying a good laugh
|
Trijn, Sebo
and Johanna visiting Rick and Honor's home with a apartment for their own use, an elevator to go upstairs, Trijn and Johanna
are just coming out of it.
|
|
A family group
picture, most likely another anniversary but I don't know which one
|
Bart and Hinke
on a Christmas holiday in Sweden or Norway, for the skiing of course, both are terrific sports people
|
Bart and Hinke,
Roelof and Rita, Sebo and Johanna, Wil and Anna are missing
|
Bart behind
his desk at his home in Delfzijl, Holland
|
|
The 4 Dutchies
as we called them, over for the Wassing family reunion 2004
|
A lot of years
have gone by, this is at Trijn's 80th birthday. All the children and grandchildren are present, two great grandchildren stayed
home.
|
The last home
Trijn stayed in, a rest home in Middelstum, Holland. A beautiful place but Trijn hated it there. Rita is with her.
|
Rita and her
husband Roelof Renkema. Trijn and Egbert's youngest daughter.
|
|
Johanna and
son Robert, with Christmas at Bart and Hinke's place. From here it looks good.
|
Trijn and Johanna
having a break from shopping, they are visiting Aylmer, Ontario
|
Bart Weerd,
always ready to lend a hand and does it with a smile
|
Hinke Weerd,
Bart's wife and friend. Love you Hinke, you are like a daughter to me.
|
|
Sebo Kroes,
Johanna's husband and the best son in law a parent can have
|
Wil, Johanna
and Bart together attending the christian school reunion in 'tZandt, Groningen
|
Wil, the oldest
of the children. He is a teacher in Veenendaal.
|
Trijn as she
was at the end of her life, the smile had left her the last few days.
|
|
Trijn's oldest
grandson Roland with his 3 children, Tara, Noa and Roan, who was just born on January 4, 2012
|
Johanna and
Sebo Kroes in Canada. A lovely picture and Johanna looks great here.
|
Rita installing
Trijn in her last home and telling her the rules and regulations of the home. It is a nice place but they stuck her in the
wrong department. She did not like it there.
|
Stefan practicing
on the drum set that he made by himself. Still living at the parental home here I think. Stefan is Johanna and Sebo's youngest
son.
|
|
Stefan Kroes,
son of Johanna and Sebo Kroes, behind the drums from his band "Deep Soul". I have another picture, of the whole
band with a movie clip.I will put that on the video page.
|
Bart and Hinke,
never did much playing golf but here they look pretty professional I would say. Reunion 2011.
|
After the reunion
in 2011 the Dutchies went touring trough a bit of Ontario and came to one of our lovely parks up North. Lovely picture.
|
Stefan, the
son of Johanna and Sebo, visited Canada this winter with his girlfriend and took in some skiing in BC. Nice picture.
|
|
Bart and Hinke
hiking somewhere in Norway. Where the dogs come from, I have no idea, maybe borrowed or something new.
|
This is Roland
Weerd, keeping fit with biking and other activities, He sure is not overweight by the looks of him.
|
This is Karin
Weerd, Roland's wife and the mother of 3 children.
|
Roan Weerd,
son of Roland and Karin. The last baby born.
|
|
Karin with all
3 children, quite an arm full, lovely picture.
|
Party time.
Roan can attend but not see, cute. Tara and Noa are having a good time though.
|
Roland with his son Roan.
|
Robert Kroes,
Johanna and Sebo's son. We don't see much of him. Handsome dude though. Robert loves to go hunting with the dogs.
|
|
Two sisters,
Tara and Noa, good friends. All they need is an umbrella and wooden shoes and of course rain, which is usually plentiful in
Holland and what do we have??
|
Sebo and Johanna,
nice picture, life must be good. Sebo retired yet??
|
Roland with
his son Roan again but a few months later. He looks to be a very happy guy, growing like a weed.
|
And finally
here is Mirjam, Wil and Karin's daughter and Trijn's oldest grand daughter. Mirjam is an active sports person and compete's
all over the world, she is often in the winning circle.
|
|
WE WON!!!! I
think that is what they are saying there. Mirjam with her partner, Rick, I believe his name is. Well done.
|
Tara, Roan and Noa, the 3 children of Roland and Karin, growing
like weeds it seems.
|
Stefan and Kim in a romantic mood, did Tamara put you up to
this when she was visiting you in Holland? Nice touch anyway.
|
She won!! Mirjam proudly showing off her trophy. Well done
girl. Congratulations.
|
|
Look at this little guy. Roan, in his wooden shoes. So cute
and has he ever grown.
|
Hard to see spring in this picture, it seems awfully
cold to me. Bart standing on a pier in , Oterdum, I believe it is.
|
Roan with daddy Roland, training already for a wheel runner.
|
Robert in his new jeep, looks good Robert. With that you can
go on rough roads with your dog or is he not allowed in the new toy?
|
|
HInke on a camping trip and canning of all things. Using her
time well. Making some kind of berry jam I think. Go girl.
|
Here is Bart, enjoying the great outdoors. Summer, winter,
he likes to be outdoors. Here him and Hinke are in Sweden I belief.
|
Bart and Hinke's wedding day. I saw this on facebook and quickly
snapped it up.
|
Bart and Hinke as they are now. Lovely couple and lovely people,
inside and out.
|
|
Mirjam Weerd, a professional triathlete. Swimming, running
and biking, I believe.
|
Mirjam running as part of the course.
|
And the winner is----Mirjam, one of many wins.
|
It is not all sports, some times there is just fun. Here Mirjam
is relaxing with her partner, Rick.
|
|
Wil and Anna, they made this picture into a postcard with Christmas
and New Year wishes for family and friends, very nice. I just took the picture for the album.
|
Wil showing off his tilly hat. Nice pic Wil.
|
Roan on his first bike. look at me, training to follow in Daddy's
footsteps.
|
|
|
Kim struggling the 5 mile of Groningen. But she made it! 2015
|
Johanna and Bart enjoying the eel at lake Zuidlaardermeer, 2015.
|
Kim and Stefan with their new son, Sam, born 13 Nov. 2016. Congratulations!
|
Oma Kroes with her first grandson, Sam. Such a happy moment. Congratulations Johanna and to
Opa Kroes too.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
