Anne Kapteyn

Born in the town of Mijdrecht in the Netherlands on September 1, 1939, Anna (Anne) Clazina Kapteyn left this world on November 29, 2025, in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She took great comfort in her relationship with God until the very end.

In 1957, Anne immigrated to Canada with her family and immediately fell in love with this country. She lived in Barrie, Ontario, most of her adult life but she also liked the East Coast (PEI, in particular), visiting as often as she could. She moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, in 2023. 

Anne lived and loved quietly and kindly throughout her 86 years. Always full of wonder, she delighted in the small things. Whether it was a Tim Horton’s coffee, an ice cream cone, a view of a lake, a bird at her window or a call from a loved one, she could find something to be thankful for at any given moment.

But not the wind. Oh, how she hated a blustery day. And hats. Anything that could mess up her hair was her nemesis. (Somehow she even managed to keep her hair dry while swimming.) Unsurprisingly, she believed in the value of a good haircut — and the importance of being able to laugh at herself.

A life-long learner, Anne had many talents. She was a gifted artist and a lover of words (she spoke three languages and could annihilate anyone in Scrabble). She baked bread every week and made the best cinnamon rolls on the planet. She knit beautiful sweaters, created intricate lace, refinished antiques and walked at a pace that seemed super human. Her determination and zest for life were unquestionable.

Her greatest passion, though, was her family: her daughters (Johanna and Kristy), her grandkids (Emily, Cordy, Lauren, Rory and Grace) and her siblings (Piet, Chris, Mary and Jane).

She adored being a mom and an Oma. She was lovingly present when they needed her most. She would delight her grandchildren by spinning a top, folding a handkerchief into a mouse, working on a crossword or singing a Dutch song. She loved to spend time with them whether in person or on the phone. 

Anne also never wavered in her faith in the Lord. She believed in giving back and was incredibly involved at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian in Barrie, where she served as an elder. She was blessed by the love and support she received from Shane, Donna and the rest of her church family.

Thank you, Anne/Mom/Oma, for your love, strength, optimism, wisdom, courage, kindness and laughter. We’ll always feel your warm hugs, taste your delicious cinnamon rolls and see the twinkle in your eye.

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