Adriana Janna van Cadsand (nee Dieleman)
June 16, 1922 to March 5, 2013
Adriana Janna Dieleman was born June 16, 1922 in Zaamslag in Zeeland, Netherlands. She grew up on a farm just outside of Axel, Zeeland. She was third in a family of six children. All of her siblings preceded her in death. In 1946, after World War II, she married Francois van Cadsand. In 1949, their first child, Sara Jacomina, was born, followed by Meeuwis (Marvin) in 1952. When Marvin was only two months old, the family immigrated to Canada.
Their destination in Canada was the Bulkley Valley because Jane had an uncle and aunt living on a farm on Hungry Hill. These were the family’s only relatives in Canada. The family has many fond memories of special celebrations at the Dieleman farm. With her husband working in the logging industry, the small family lived in various places in northwest B.C., including Barrett, Houston, Telkwa and Kitwanga. In 1961, while in Kitwanga, Peter John was born. A year later, in 1962, the family was devastated when Jane’s husband Francois died following an operation in Kitimat. They had been married for only 16 years, and had been in Canada for only 10. Some of Jane’s friends and relatives counseled he to return to Holland, where she had more family, but she was insistent that Canada was now her home, and she said, “I would miss the mountains.”
With her three children, she moved to Smithers in 1963 where she had a rooming house built on King St. Over the years, the rooming house provided a home for many people. In 1980, Jane had Bert Haar build a new house for her and Peter on 10th Avenue. It was her home for the next 32 years. Last year, as her health was failing, she moved to Bulkley Valley District Hospital and remained there until she went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 5. It was a beautiful, clear, calm day with the sun shining brilliantly. Shortly before she died, the nurses turned her to face the window with a view of the mountains that she loved. She passed away peacefully just before noon, with her children at her side. Throughout her life, through good times and in adversity, she lived by faith in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
She will be missed by her family and friends, in Canada and in Holland. She always maintained a close relationship with relatives in Holland, writing regularly, visiting several times and welcoming visitors from “the old country.” We will miss her keen interest in our lives, her positive outlook and many other things that brought joy and laughter.
Thank you to Dr. Flynn, the nurses and the rest of the staff at BV District Hospital. You made her last months and days the best that they could be. We will always be grateful for your gentle ways and caring words.
The van Cadsands