Anita HOLDEN

HOLDEN VERBURG, Anita On October 31, 2009, Anita Holden Verburg passed away at the age of 74 years. She is survived by nieces and nephews in England; Adrianne (Damian) Heywood, Anthony Colbourne, Christopher (Gladys) Colbourne, Martin (Catherine) Holden and Erika (Andrew) Holden and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She will be missed and fondly remembered by her step-daughters and their families, Jennifer (Ray) Fennema and children, Sarah, Rachel, Joel, Aaron, Stephanie, Kaden and Connor; and Sandra (Michael) Kowalenko and children, Rebekah, Hannah, Esther and Abigail, Elizabeth (Rodney) French; and other friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Daisy Holden; her sister Jean Colbourne; her brother, Frank Holden and her niece, Debbie Colbourne. Anita June Holden was born in Birmingham, England to Daisy and Walter Holden on December 9, 1934. She had an older sister, Jean and older brother, Frank. After she completed her BA in London, England, Anita taught French at a convent in Bournemouth and at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Following this, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario and obtained her MA at McMaster University in 1963. On September 1, 1964 she arrived in Edmonton where she taught French at the University of Alberta until her retirement in 1992. In the early 1980's, Anita brought her mother over from England to live with her and lovingly devoted herself to her care until her mom died in 1987. After retirement Anita volunteered weekdays teaching ESL to new immigrants until she was no longer able due to the progression of her illness. She was an intelligent woman who loved travel, languages, books, gardening, cooking, a glass of sherry, a cigarette, spending time with friends and family. She was often helping others in a quiet way. Words cannot express our appreciation for the tender and dignified care that Anita received for the past 22 months at Devonshire Care Center. She felt loved. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 5 at 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Howard & McBride Westlawn, 16310 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton. Howard & McBride Westlawn Chapel (780) 484-5500 logo Published in the Edmonton Journal on 11/3/2009