Jane Braat

1925 - 2019

Sjaan “Jane” Braat beloved wife of the late Morris Braat; mother of Karen (Jeff) McCallum of Lethbridge and Clary (Mike) Fox of Calgary; Oma of Justin (Jessica), Gillian (Andrew), Deanna and Luke; Great Oma of Florence; passed away in Bow Island on Friday December 6, 2019 at the age of 94 years.

Mom is also survived by her sister Gonnie van Roessel; in-laws Frans Lauwers, Jo Vissers, Bep Braat, Peter (Mildred) Braat, Jake (Shirley) Braat, Fritz (Lisa) Braat, Casey (Katie) Braat and Ann (Hank) Koot as well as numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends. Mom was born on November 11, 1925 in Drunen, Netherlands. She attended teacher’s college in Oirschot, and became a professional in a time when women weren’t often afforded such opportunities. She spoke four languages and taught grade one for fourteen years. Mom enjoyed theatre and musical performances, volunteered many years as a Cub leader, and loved travel and family gatherings. She moved to Canada as a new bride in 1960. Mom and Dad began their married life in Coaldale and then moved to the farm in Bow Island in 1970.

Mom found fulfillment in motherhood and farm life. She loved her family and cheerfully devoted her life to our care. She was an active community member, sitting on the St. Michael’s School Board, the CWL and various golf leagues. She was at her best, when surrounded by family and friends, always with a twinkle in her eye and a joke at hand.

Mom preferred growing flowers over vegetables and took pride in her well manicured garden. She loved when the first buds appeared on her favored rose bushes, and she had an uncanny ability to know the botanical name of hundreds of plants and flowers. Dad romanced her for all of their marriage with fresh bouquets from the garden or in later years, with every trip to the city.

Mom was a woman of deep faith. She held firmly to it, as she journeyed through all of the days of her long life. She was a woman of prayer, lifting up the needs of her friends and family, daily.

A most cherished role was one of “Oma”, and most recently “Great Oma” to little Flo. Playing “tent” in a canopy made up of sheets, “Opa & Oma Camp”, card games in the gazebo, toonies when saying goodbye, and endless goodies were a part of every visit.

Mom loved her life, and often said “I would love to go back, and do it all over again”.

Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 - 1 Street East, Bow Island on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 - 1 Street East, Bow Island on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Bow Island Cemetery.

The family kindly asks that if friends so desire, memorial tributes in Mom’s name may be made directly to the County of 40 Mile Food Bank, Box 23, Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0.