We are so grateful to have shared our life with Corina.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Corina Praat (nee Wester).
With family by her side she peacefully took her last breath on May 5, 2008 at Surrey Memorial Hospital ending her challenge with cancer.
Corina is survived by her devoted husband Frits, their loving children Dilan and Megan, her Holland siblings Gerda, Jan (Tineke), Cok (Els), Jeanet (Louis) Ada (George), Peter (Karin), Pierre (Wendy), Suriname sibling Marian (David), Chilliwack sibling, Marcel (Teri), sister-in-law: Jose (Ludovic), Holland; father-in-law: Niek Praat and family Anette (Martin), Peter (Cornelia) Marta (Willem); many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Corina is predeceased by her parents Piet and Marie Wester, mother-in-law: Gre Praat; brothers-in-law: Koos Praat and Dick Wenker (Holland).
Corina was born in Nieuwe Niedorp (NL) on August 26, 1967. The youngest of a family of 10 children, Corina was raised on the family dairy farm in Holland. After graduating from school Corina enjoyed her service as a registered nurse.
Corina and Frits married in 1989 and with the spirit of adventure they moved to Canada in 1990 choosing Chilliwack as their home and place to start their flower growing business. A dream they shared.
Their miracles were the birth of their two children, Dilan and Megan. Motherhood was the biggest joy in Corina’s life. Raising her children, guiding their development, teaching them valuable life skills and experiences and home schooling fulfilled her. Supporting community events involving the children and others inspired her.
Though their time together was too short, Corina offered her children the gift of a lifetime of knowledge in the time they had.
There was always a story to share or a moment to laugh reflecting her love and devotion to her family. Frits, Corina, Dilan and Megan became a foursome who learned, grew, played, enjoyed and had many adventures together.
She was a wonderful, strong woman who stood up for her beliefs and opinions. Corina’s strong positive beliefs that anything is possible helped the people she touched, their dreams and goals. At the end of her life she fulfilled her own great dream to be at peace with God.
We are so very blessed to have shared these great times together with Corina.
For years and especially these last months Corina often contemplated these words of Nelson Mandela;
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlight–ened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us: it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
There will be a viewing at the Praat family home (51535 Ferry Road, Rosedale, B.C.) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 12 noon to 3 pm.
Memorial Celebration of Life at Minter Gardens on Thursday, May 15th at 6:30 pm.
Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.
www.mem.com