Cornelia (Cora) Johanna Maria van Bezouw (van der Stappen)'s Obituary
Our beautiful, gracious, brave self-possessed mother died on March 17, 2006 in St. George, UT.
Cora was born on July 30, 1934 in Gilze, the Netherlands. In 1951 she was married to Frank M. Van der Stappen in Tilburg, together they raised six children. They were married for 51 years. Mom moved with her growing family to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1954. Mom very much enjoyed her friends and life in Western Canada. In 1962, the family once again moved to Ogden. Mom lived in South Ogden, Utah until 1997, when she retired to the New Orleans, LA area. Mom accomplished many great things in life; she survived the famous floods in Holland in 1953, and survived the destructive Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Not many people shared these two experiences and memories. Mom taught herself the English language and mastered self-education while rearing her six children.
Mom was a creative, talented and capable woman, with many unique and wonderful abilities. Many people are the proud owners of a Cora-knit sweater. Mom could decorate on a shoe string but her generous hospitality and personality always shone through, if she liked you. Mom loved being a room mother to the kids at St. Joseph elementary and high school. Mom had many memories of special friends and experiences in the St. Joe community.
Mom suffered a serious brain injury in 2001, but she continued to be an example of grace, courage and dignity throughout her life. Mom loved to sing, dance and laugh. She had better than average luck at the casinos and always enjoyed a trip to Wendover, Bay St. Louis or Mesquite. Mom lived our flower gardens and bird habitats, and especially the fell of sunshine on her skin.
Some people may remember our mother with some hardness; but Cora always knew who she was and where she came from, and she carried that confidence and loyalty to her parents and siblings, especially her beloved brother Pete, and her best friend and sister An. Mother survived the loss of her father, who she loved very much, at the age of six. Opa Bezouw was a civilian casualty of World War II. Mom also lost her great friend and brother Pete van Bezouw, when she was 20; just before she immigrated to Canada. Mom missed Opa Bezouw and Ome Pete every day of her life without them, and it is our fondest hope and belief that they are together and looking out for us now.
We have a lot of Mom and Cora stories to share with our friends and family. Some of you probably have some good ones, too.
Cora, our Mom, was preceded in death by her parents; Johannes van Bezouw and Cornelia van Bezouw Groenendahl; her brother Pete van Bezouw, as well as many good friends including Genevieve and Charlie Duran. She was also preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter Lisa Bray.
Mom is survived, loved and missed by her daughter, Francesca who has been her companion and care giver for most of the last five years; and her son Frank H. Van der Stappen, who has also been a loving companion and care giver. We will be eternally grateful to each other for this special time we shared with Mom. We will be eternally grateful to Cora for the joy and love, lessons learned and fun adventures of the Three Musketeers. Mom is also survived by Ramona Kieman and her family; Mom especially loved her recent visits with Rachel, Rebecca, Bailey, Alex, Rylee and Cassandra, who made special trips to see their Grandma Van. Mom also really loved and appreciated the love, visits, cards and letters from Grandson Brandon Van Der Stappen, granddaughter Donelle Van Der Stappen and their wonderful, loving children David, Bree, Brigham, Brek and Dawson. Mom is also survived by daughters Joanne Wharton and Susan Ambler, and son John Van Der Stappen, as well as their children.
At Cora’s request no public memorials or services will be held. Mom remembered her friends and family often with a smile, a story, a prayer. Please feel free to honor our mother in her own great style, with a kind though, story, smile or prayer.
Mom will be buried at the Abbey of St. Joseph in Covington, LA near a majestic and ancient Oak tree, on of the “Seven Sisters,” the oldest known Oak trees in the world. Mom and that grand tree have a lot in common.
What’s your fondest memory of Cornelia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cornelia?
Share a story where Cornelia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cornelia you’ll never forget.
How did Cornelia make you smile?