FEENSTRA (van de Kamp) Gerritje Hendrika "Gerry"

On May 3, 2020, Gerry died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. Beloved by Jur, her husband and travelling companion of 58 years, Gerry herself said she divided her love equally among her children, Jennifer, Monique Andrea (Chris), Maureen (Darren) and Andrew (Tracey), but multiplied her love with her grandchildren, Christine, Noah, Hailey, Adyson and Carter. Gerry is predeceased by her parents, Gerrit and Heintje van de Kamp; her brothers, Joop, Roel and Gerrit; and her sister, Henny. She is survived by sisters, Aartje and Geja; brother-in-law, Bernlef; and sisters-in-law, Janny and Harma; as well as many nieces and nephews. Gerry was born in Amersfoort, The Netherlands, in 1938. She did her nursing studies in Hilversum, The Netherlands, before immigrating to Canada in 1960. She completed the courses necessary to become a registered nurse in Ottawa, Ont., and began her nursing career at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Jur and Gerry were married and had their first child in Ottawa, lived briefly in Hamilton, Ont., and moved to Nova Scotia in 1965. Gerry worked full-time as a nurse at the Victoria General Hospital until her second child was born, then worked part-time while raising four busy children in Dartmouth. She upgraded her nursing skills by taking courses such as the Critical Care Nursing Program, then decided to take a nursing course at Dalhousie University, just to see if she were "smart enough" for academic studies. As she passed that course with flying colours, she persevered and graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1991. She became a nursing supervisor at the Victoria General, and then the QEII Health Sciences Centre, well-known for her smile and ability to solve problems with quiet diplomacy, while always supporting the nursing staff and advocating for the patients. She retired from this rewarding career in 2001. Jur and Gerry travelled when and where they could. With their children in tow, they spent several summer vacations in P.E.I., but also took them on longer trips to the United States and to visit relatives in Ontario and The Netherlands. On their own, they travelled across Canada and visited every continent, checking off all the countries on their bucket list. Gerry was a gifted handicrafter and loved sewing, knitting, crocheting and cross stitch embroidery, as well as gardening, reading and doing crosswords. In retirement, Gerry kept active by going out to monthly lunches with her friends and former colleagues, becoming a member of the A.M.S. at church and taking care of her grandchildren whenever possible. She lived a full life without regrets, was a loving spouse, proud mother and doting grandmother. The family would like to give a special thank you the Victorian Order of Nurses for the excellent care and support given to Gerry in the last month of her life. Thanks also to the Canadian Red Cross for their help in making Gerry comfortable, as well as the Palliative Care team of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held in Iona Presbyterian Church, Dartmouth, when that is possible. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at Dartmouth Memorial Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Victorian Order of Nurses, Canadian Red Cross or your favourite local charity in Gerry’s memory. Online condolences can be made at: www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com (Dartmouth Chapel)