Cornelia “Corrie” ROWE
(nee Dijksterhuis)
August 25, 1928 – December 24, 2014)
Corrie passed away in Comox, BC, on the eve of her 86th Christmas. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Jacques and sister Ati. She will be very much missed by her daughters Rebecca (Richard) and Katherine (Paul), her husband of 51 years, Ken, her brother Menko and sister Tineke, numerous nieces and nephews, and her two beloved cats, Bib and Pickles.
Corrie was a true independent spirit, ahead of her time. Her experiences growing up in Holland during the Depression and World War II were a start of a life filled with unique experiences and challenges. After learning her trade as a dog groomer in the 1950s, she moved to Kenya, spending a number of years managing a successful dog kennel business. In 1963, while still in Kenya, she met and married Ken. In 1966, she made another life changing journey, immigrating with Ken and infant daughter, Katherine, to her new home in Terrace, where Rebecca was born a few years later.
Mom spent many happy years in BC, blazing more trails in Terrace, Smithers and Powell River. She started and ran two businesses – dog grooming in the 1970s, and an antique store in Telkwa in the late 1980s and early 90s. She built an extension onto the family house in Quick almost singlehandedly, and raised up to 50 head of sheep at a time on the farm. In between, she honed her skills as a talented painter of the beautiful Bulkley Valley, and was an active member of the Smithers Art Gallery.
As her family, we are truly grateful to have had Mom in our lives. Rest well, Mom. We hope you are surrounded by the many cats and dogs you loved over the years, and that there is no end of new Antiques Roadshow episodes for you to watch.
There will be no service, at Mom’s request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, Plan Canada, or the charity of your choice.