Annette Banninga (Vanderburgh) has gone to be with her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at age 79. Annette leaves behind her husband Ed, of 59 years. Annette immigrated from the Netherlands at age 12 with her father Karel, mother Willy and sister Willy. After graduating from high school, Annette worked at the Sarnia Hydro office before marrying Ed in 1964. Annette and Ed lived in Sarnia all their lives, except for a few married years in Windsor where their son Carl was born. Annette has been a lifelong member of Living Hope Christian Reformed Church. She served as a councillor for the GEMs program. Annette was a good mother to her three sons Carl (Joyce) in London, Dave (Erika) in Welland, and Mark (Cindy) in Nova Scotia. She leaves grandchildren Esther (Diego), Jessica (Ryan), Josiah (Bethany); Danielle (Kevin), Jon (Molly McEachern); Jadon (Sarah Saunders), Sarah, Rochelle, and Jeshua; and great grandsons, Crosby and Wyatt and great granddaughter, Ariella. Family visits were always special.
As adults, Annette and her sister, Willy DeJong, were best friends, enjoying bi-weekly visits and an occasional train trip to cousin Gerda’s in Guelph. Annette and Ed's July birthdays were three days apart, so her sister, living on the lake, would put on a wonderful, annual party enjoyed immensely by everyone. Annette loved to read her Bible and devotional books. Often, she would read a novel per week. She loved her sunroom, loaded year-round with plants. Spring meant outside gardening, the love of which she shared with her father. Other interests included bird watching. Every species of bird that visited the bird feeder she marked off in her bird book. Annette also enjoyed listening to classical music, especially pieces with sacred themes.
Annette was an excellent cook and baker, known for her roasts, pork chops, casseroles, and banana loaf. She could also put on a good party with the best oliebollen (fritters) at New Year’s. We will all miss her.
The family would like to thank the staff at Trillium Nursing Home for six years of dedicated, loving care, especially during Annette’s last days. A visitation is planned for Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 6:00-8:30 pm at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia. Interment will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Blackwell Cemetery, Sarnia with family. Friends are invited. The memorial service will follow at 12:00 pm at Living Hope Chistian Reformed Church, 1281 Exmouth St., Sarnia—followed by a light lunch in the fellowship hall for everyone. Sympathy donations to The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada would be appreciated (cheques only at the funeral home). Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.