Rea was born in Drachten, Friesland, the Netherlands in August 1935, the oldest of eight children. In December of 1957, she immigrated to Canada, arriving in Red Deer. She began working at the Provincial Training School (PTS), which was later renamed Deerhome and is now Michener Centre.

On July 12, 1958, Rea married Jim Bakker and together they had three children, Gina, Corinne and Jim. That marriage ended in 1975. A couple of years later, she met Adrien deJong and they married in March of 1978 and she became a stepmom to Martin, Peter, Maxine and Dave.

Rea moved to Abbotsford and lived there, as well as various other places in British Columbia until August of 2008, when she and Adrien moved back to Red Deer to be closer to family, which was very important to Rea.

Rea was predeceased by her daughter Corinne and her brother Jack. She is survived by her daughter Gina, son Jim, daughter-in-law Kim and son-in-law Rick. She is also survived by her three sisters, Ali, Gretha and Gerda, three brothers, Jerry, Joop and Freddie as well as their spouses. She was a proud and loving Oma to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as a treasured Tante to her many nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed, forever remembered and will always hold a place in our hearts.

A celebration of Rea’s life was held at the First Christian Reformed Church, Red Deer, AB. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rea’s honour may be directed to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 – Arnot Ave., T4R 3S6.

Condolences to Rea’s family may be emailed to meaningful @ telus. net. Arrangements in care of Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta, 587-876-4944.

• Date : 2019-07-29
• Location : Red Deer