Obituary of Afra Elizabeth Jong

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of Afra Jong on October 17th, 2023, at the age of 94.   

Afra was born on January 16, 1929 in Waarland, Netherlands, the daughter of Elizabeth and Gerard Veldman.  Afra married Theodore Jong on May 10, 1949.  Gerry, Ellie, Fransje and Nel were born to them in the Netherlands.  In 1954 the family emigrated to Canada joining her parents on a farm for a few years before building a house and moving to Wainfleet.  Emma, Frank, Rob, Mary, Margaret and Jim were born in the next years.

Afra is predeceased by her parents, husband Theodore, three of her children, Mary, Rob and baby Fransje, one grandchild, Carly Algra, and  siblings Willemien, Dick and Jerry Veldman, Bert Bruin, Elizabeth Vriend and Geertje Pater.

Afra was a woman whose Catholic faith gave shape to her life. She and Theodore were founding members of St. Elizabeth Church in Wainfleet, and Afra served as choir director there for many years.  She gave her time to be a Boy Scout leader, work in the family store, and later  was a sales rep for Pfaff sewing machines for several years.  While raising a large family, she always found time to read, listen to music, knit and sew (and try to teach the same) for her children.  The family home was a place with flowers, music, books and delicious soup on the stove. She was a quilter and made many beautiful creations and also taught quilting when she visited family in Hornepayne.

Afra leaves behind seven children – Gerry (Vicki), Elizabeth (Michael) Partridge, Nel (Remigio) Dalcin, Emma (David) Hoffman, Frank (Bev), Margaret and Jim, and also 24 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.  She lived a full and interesting life, with joy, love and gratitude. She was a wonderful blessing and example to us and will be greatly missed.

Afra lived the last six years at Tufford Manor in St. Catharines, enjoying frequent visits from family members, and going for drives in the countryside.  Afra’s family would like to thank the attentive staff at Tufford Manor for the excellent care she received.

Visitation will be held at George Darte Funeral Home 585 Carlton St, St Catharines, Ontario, L2M 4Y1 on Friday October 20th from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A funeral mass will take place at St. Elizabeth’s Church, Wainfleet on Saturday October 21st at 10:30am, followed by internment at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Wainfleet.   In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Elizabeth Church or a charity of your choice.