VanderVeen, Gay (nee: Boonstra-Pranger)
Oct. 3, 1938 - Jan. 31, 2012
Gay was born in Friesland, Netherlands. At the age of 19 she followed her heart and immigrated to Canada to be with the love of her life Jerry. They married in Canada on October 17, 1958. Gay and Jerry bought their first dairy farm on Dixon Road in Sumas Prairie and later in 1968 moved with their four children to Fore Road in Matsqui where the family farm continues to thrive.
Gay is survived by her loving husband of 53 years Jerry, children Andy (Cindy), Grace (Doug), Jeanette (Glen), Allen (Tracey), nine grandchildren Keith (Jamie), Travis, Amanda (Joel), Joshua, Jared, Danelle, Justin, Paige, Clayton, and 2 great - grandchildren Morgan and Coleton. In 1993 Gay and Jerry built a new home and moved to Page Road where they lived together until Gay's move to the DeltaView Habilitation Centre in December, 2010. Throughout her life family meant everything. Her door was always open and the coffee pot always on. She enjoyed her Thursday night bowling team, biking, knitting and had a flare for entertaining. Gay embraced life and brought joy to many including the caring people at DeltaView where she struggled with Alzheimers. Gay passed away on January 31, 2012. Memorial Service was held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 1:00pm at Cascade Community Church (Salvation Army) located at 35190 Delair Road, Abbotsford. The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at DeltaView who treated her with genuine love and care. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Alzheimers Society.