Sweeney, Johanna Bastiana (Blaauw), 89, of Marshalltown, formerly of Gilbert's Cove, died May 23, 2010, in Digby General Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born in Den Haag, Zuid, Holland, she was a daughter of Hendrick and Maria (Schreuders) Blaauw. She arrived in Quebec on April 17, 1950, by way of the SS Mauretania. While vacationing with her sister Stein in Weymouth North, she met her husband, Vincent, and settled in Gilbert's Cove. Having survived the Second World War and being witness to the Holocaust, she taught her family the sacrifices and heroism of the Canadian soldiers so that such character would never be forgotten. In the 1970s, she became a Canadian citizen and was always very proud to be Canadian. She endeavored to instill this sense of pride in her family along with the strong family values she carried with her from Holland. She was an avid knitter and loved to create a wide variety of clothing for all her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Sweeney; stepson, Willard Sweeney; sisters, Bep Colpa and Stein Sabean; nephews, Kenny and Arnold Sabean. She is survived by her son, Robert (Pauline); daughters, Annie (Gary) Warren and Maria (Rick) Amero; grandsons, Robbie (Adrienne) Sweeney, Charles (Keltie) Warren, Michael (Ritamae) Amero, Patrick Sweeney and Mark Amero, Ronnie (Carol) Sweeney; granddaughter, Sharon (Murray) Draves; great-grandchildren, Ava Johanna Amero, Allison Draves, Kelly Draves, Steven Sweeney, Sarah Sweeney, Elizabeth Sweeney; daughter-in-law, Grace Sweeney; nieces, Maria Slater, Ineke White; nephews, Tommy Colpa, Hank, Eben and Roy Sabean and many great nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Serenity Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Port Williams. Private family service at a later date. Donations can be made to Digby Hospital Charitable Foundation, 75 Warwick St., Digby, NS B0V 1A0. She will always be loved and forever missed, Welterusten Oma.