BUSKERMOLEN, Catherina Maria
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Catharina "Rene" Maria Buskermolen, in her 83rd year on April 1, 2017 at the Juravinski Hospital. Beloved wife of Johannes "John" Buskermolen for 60 years. Cherished and loving mother of Sunniva (Boris), Beverly (Jim) and John Jr. (Evelyne). Devoted and Cherished Oma of Tobias and Justine. Dear sister of Riet of the Netherlands. Born December 7, 1934 in Haarlem in the Netherlands to loving parents Gerardus Franciscus Van Der Meer and Cornelia Maria Rewijk - Van Der Meer and enjoyed growing up with two brothers and a sister. She and her family were introduced to tremendous hardship throughout WWII living in occupied Netherlands where hunger, cold and fear were no strangers and daily struggles to survive ensued. She had a dream of becoming a teacher and so at the age of 14 went off to embark on receiving the best education available at a Catholic boarding school run by nuns in Bergen the Netherlands. There she excelled academically and mastered embroidery, crochet, mending and became talented at sketching, later designing her own wedding dress. These creative talents were enjoyed throughout her life. Her imagination never ending. At the age of 18, she very unexpectedly lost her father to cancer and thus leaving her mother to raise her and three younger siblings single handedly. In spite of her tremendous grief she persevered and went on to complete teachers college and realize her dream. She became a talented young teacher in Bovenkerk, the Netherlands.
One winter day while skating on the frozen lake in her town she caught the eye of the "love of her life" John who instantly fell in love with her and her beautiful sweep of blonde hair that flew behind her while she skated. In 1955 her beloved Jan (John) immigrated to Canada ahead of her to secure work and establish some savings so she could follow him in 1956. And so their love story began with a year of hundreds of love letters crossing the ocean until they were reunited. These letters remain cherished, bundled in red ribbons stored in their secret little suitcase. A love story that has endured to this day. On July 28, 2016 we celebrated with great joy and pride their 60th Wedding Anniversary. At the tender age of 21 she bravely left her entire family behind and boarded a ship to Canada to join her future husband. She once said that she didn't take a chance on Dad, she knew he was "a sure thing!" They immediately started to build their life together, saving, planning and dreaming about their future in their new homeland. Before long their family was growing with the birth of their first daughter Sunniva, followed by their second daughter Beverly and finally a son John Jr. In the early family years she was a doting, loving, stay-at-home mom, creating a nurturing secure home life for her entire family. During this time she volunteered endlessly for The Canadian Cancer Society, The Hamilton and District Literacy Council, Westinghouse Hockey Assoc., Inch Park Baseball Assoc. as well as single handedly establishing an extensive reference library at St. Thomas More High School. Once her children were more independent she returned to her beloved teaching, initially as a supply teacher, but found her real passion teaching Special Needs children as an Educational Assistant. She was most respected and loved by her students and colleagues. In addition to this she embraced teaching Dutch Language classes on Saturday mornings imparting the joy of a second language to countless children. Her own never ending quest for knowledge, learning and a sense of adventure led her on many trips to Europe, Arizona, Florida, Cuba, Panama Canal Cruise, Caribbean Cruises, Alaska, European River Cruises and endless fun filled family camping trips. Happy times in Ellicottville were a regular occurrence. She derived great joy in the simple pleasures in life enjoying quiet times with her beloved husband John whom she was so proud of as well as countless get togethers, dinners and outings with her children and grandchildren. She shared in all of her family's successes and sorrows, never wavering and always encouraging and supportive.
She touched so many lives along her life journey that nearly everywhere she went she met someone she knew. She was a most loved mother to all of us and many others as well. She was quick to make friends and graciously socialized with people of all classes, races, and religions with sincerity and an open heart. She was always our "moral compass" She was a completely selfless, humble, generous, loving woman who always had a kind word and deed for others. A highly intelligent woman who played along with Jeopardy every night and shocked us all with the wealth of knowledge she possessed. She was full of adventure, had a witty sense of humour, was quietly philanthropic, articulate, a lover of books, gardening, a good joke, nature, birds, sunsets and the Toronto Blue Jays. And above all her beloved husband, children and grandchildren. She taught us all about living a life of integrity, charity, humility, patience, kindness and above all love. Over the past year or so Mom's health began to fail but determined as ever she was simply not ready to leave us all. She fought with great perseverance and dignity until the end but sadly could fight no more. We have been truly blessed to call her our wife, mother and grandmother. We will always carry her in our hearts and she will live on in the happy memories she has left us with. She was ever strong in her faith until the end. So go in peace Mom, until we meet again. Friends may visit with the family at P.X. DERMODY FUNERAL HOME, 796 Upper Gage Ave. (between Mohawk and Fennell) on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King (714 King St. W.) on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hamilton Literacy Council would be appreciated by the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catharina Maria "Rene" Buskermolen , please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.