Johanna (Hannie) Fryer

Johanna Hendrika Fryer (Thurkow) died at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC surrounded by the love of her family. Johanna (Hannie) was born in the Netherlands. At the end of the Second World War, Hannie met Leonard Charles Fryer, a member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps. In 1947 she immigrated to Canada to marry Len, the love of her life. He had become an Anglican minister. Their first posting was the Anglican parish in Norway House, Manitoba. There she transitioned from being a city girl to living in the bush of northern Canada where there was no electricity, running water or other amenities. She learned to garden, cook on a wood stove, play the pump organ and polish her English. She loved her new home with its great beauty and wonderful, kind people. It was there that her three daughters, Elsie, Margaret and Joyce, were born. They went on to live in the Anglican parishes at Rainy River, Ontario, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba and Stonewall, Manitoba where they retired and settled.

Hannie played an active role in supporting her husband’s ministry through gracious hospitality, various women’s ministries in the churches, playing the organs, singing in their choirs and leading children’s programs. As her daughters grew up, Hannie honed her teaching skills by leading sections of the 4-H club in sewing, cooking and handicrafts. She demonstrated her excellence as a proof reader at the Springfield Leader in Lac du Bonnet. Her cooking and organizational skills came in handy when she acted as cook of the Diocese of Keewatin children’s camp at Longbow Lake. Her hobbies included gardening, singing, piano playing, puzzling and reading. In time Hannie welcomed and enjoyed her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was very proud of them and loved spending time with them.

In 2011 Hannie moved to Victoria, BC to live with her daughter, Joyce. She was predeceased by her parents Arnold C. and Neeltje (Groot) Thurkow, her husband, the Reverend Canon Leonard C. Fryer (2004) and her daughter, Margaret Hills (2021). She is survived by her sister, Hendrika (Riek) Thurkow, brother, Albert Jan Thurkow, daughters, Elsie Millerd and Joyce Dreilich, grandchildren, Sherri Lund (Scott), Bryan Dreilich (Kati), Bruce (Kim), David and Paul Millerd and Shannon Hills, and great-grandchildren, Annie, Olivia, Gavin, Kiley and Liam. She will also be lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law, Els Thurkow and Ruth Manacki, sons-in-law, Frank Millerd and Percy Hills, four nephews and one niece.

The Funeral Service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, BC on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 am PDT. Those wishing to join virtually may do so by clicking on the link below:

https://vimeo.com/682935887/24657ee599

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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