PICTOU – Cornelia Maria “Corry” “Mama” Lakenman, 92, of Pictou, passed away December 4, 2013 in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.
Mama was born in Westwoud, the Netherlands on June 10, 1921 and she was a daughter of the late Theodorus deMoel and the late Emerentiana Oud-deMoel.
She immigrated to Canada in May of 1950 along with her husband, Cor, and her six week old son, John. They originally settled in Bay View for 46 years before moving to Pictou, NS. Through the years Mama was a devoted member of many volunteer organizations including the Bay View Home and School Association and Trustee of the Bay View Community Club, 4H Club Leader, 30 year member of the Lionette Club and a member of the Caribou Heritage Society. Mama was one of the charter members of the Caribou Women’s Institute (WI). She cherished the WI with all her heart. They helped her to overcome her shyness, she enjoyed their friendship and learned a lot from the convenors. Mama was also a member of the CWL since 1997. Up until she turned 90, Mama enjoyed bowling twice a week with her Dutch friends and the WI League. She also sang with the In Harmony Ladies Barbershop Chorus. At the age of 52, she began working for the Children’s Training Centre in Pictou until her retirement at age 65. Mama was talented at many crafts including embroidery, knitting, crocheting and in recent years, took up card making that were treasures to many.
Mama is survived by her children; sons, John (Wendy Facey), and Eddie, both of Pictou; daughters, Marion Lakenman and Emily Fougere, of Halifax; daughter-in-law, Anna Lakenman; grandchildren, Katrina (Brian Sexton), Lethbridge AB; Lisa (Mitchell Gaudet), Meteghan; Derek Lakenman, New Glasgow; Michael, Jeanette and Daniel Fougere, all of Halifax; and her last surviving sister, Emma Oud-deMoel in the Netherlands. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Ike Lakenman, Connor and Alex Sexton, and Olivia Gaudet.
Besides her parents, Mama was predeceased by her husband, Cor in 2003; son, Danny in 1985; and son-in-law, Andy Fougere, in 2005. She was also predeceased by brothers, Jan and Jacob; and sisters, Anna, Cathrien and Vera.
Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 from Stella Maris Church, Pictou with Father Gerald Campbell and Father Peter MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Danny Lakenman 4H Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o J. vanKessel, 1559 Fraser Mtn., RR 1 New Glasgow, B2H 5C4 or the Cancer Society for Ovarian Cancer Research.
Online condolences: www.mclarenfuneral.ca