Corry (van Roessel, van Son) Brenner

It is with heavy hearts that the family or Cornelia Anna Brenner announces her passing on September 12, 2021.

Corry was born on May 25, 1928 in Helvoirt, Holland to Adriana and Wilhelmus van Roessel.  She joined two older brothers, Kees and Sjaac (Jack).  For the next 12 years she was often in trouble for spoiling her younger siblings; An, Toon, Frans, Riet, Jan, Tiny and Trees.  In 1941, Adriana passed away and Corry became Sister-Mother.  She never attended public school again, but her love for learning never ceased.  Corry was also active in her community in Holland helping flood victims, representative for the church and volunteering on social committees.

In 1955, Corry married John van Son and they immigrated to Canada.  Over the next 11 years, Corry and John had three sons and four daughters.  Corry worked tirelessly and scrimped to help finance the farm in Hays.  She raised her children, gardened, cleaned barns, shovelled in bins, volunteered at the church, school and girl guides.  Immediately after supper her sewing machine would go on the kitchen table and one of the kids would turn the handle.  While the handle turned she would tell stories about Holland and the family that lived there.  Corry’s brother, Jack and wife Connie, had also immigrated to Canada.  Connie and Corry leaned on each other through child bearing years, were each others babysitter and mentor.

In 1988 Corry moved to Taber where she worked in a daycare and as a nanny.  At the age of 62 she learned to read and write English.  She won Senior Citizen of the Year for Taber at the age of 75.  She had 20 pins as a volunteer for the Taber Health Centre with over 500 hours and over 25 years.  She had a deep commitment to her faith.

Corry became a good bowler and a bad golfer.  She was an active cycler because she could ride a bike better than she could drive.  However, she valiantly drove, seat as far forward as possible, face near the dash to visit her children many hours away.  In the August snowstorm of 1992 Corry married Ed Brenner.  His four children and their families became part of Corry’s life.  When Ed passed away they continued to support Corry.  In 2004, Corry moved to a condo and met many delightful people.  She was involved in cards, games, puzzles and exercise classes.  The condo was a wonderful gathering spot for her family during holidays.  Big family gatherings were what made her the happiest.  She was always delighted when everyone came to her house and always had an ache in her heart missing those that lived abroad.

Corry was completely devastated to lose her daughter, Wilma in 2011.  Compassionate, compromising, conciliatory, calm, clean and cute was who Corry was.  Corry travelled to many places, mostly to visit family.  She went to Victoria, Orlando, Phoenix, Saskatoon, Dallas, Costa Rica, Norway and especially Holland.

Corry made her final journey painlessly and quietly in her sleep on September 12, 2021.  She will be forever cherished by her children and grandchildren:  Tony and Linda (Jennifer, Brendan and Curtis), Audrey and Doug (Corey, Ryan, Shaun and Kyle), Betty and Bruce (Shane, Shari and Trevor), (Wilma) and Gord (Kathleen and Brett), Kerry and Pierrie (Michael and Stephen), Andy and Tracy (Justin and Shelby) Joanne and Greg (Nicole and Brodie).  Numerous grand-in-laws, great grand children ,step grandchildren, step relatives, her siblings and their families, Riet Brok and Antoon van Son and the van Son families.

Corry was predeceased by her daughter, Wilma (Smiley), great grandson, Anthony van Son, as well as her brothers Kees, Jack and Toon and sister Riet, sister in law Jo Brok and brothers in law Huup and Tiny van Son as well as numerous extended family and friends.  The celebration in Heaven will be amazing.

A special thank you to the Good Samaritans N, Cottage 5 for all the years of caring and compassion they gave to our Mom and Oma.

Celebration of her life will be held October 1, 2021 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Taber.  Due to Covid 19 restrictions, it will be a small family gathering.

In memory of Corry, donations can be made to help children in need or a charity of one’s choice.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2021-09-12
• Location : Alberta