Obituary of Magdalena Coone
Magdalena Coone, (Wijnacker) former resident of Bothwell, passed away at the Babcock Community Care Centre, Wardsville on Sunday, February 5, 2023 the age of 101. Beloved wife of the late Andreas Coone (1992) and loving mother of Diana (Klaus) Koch and Clara (Stanley) Wortner. Sadly missed by her grandchildren Peter Koch, David (late Vicky) Koch, Jodi Van Sas (Laurie) and Nancy (Rinus) Van Sas and great grandchildren McKenna Robb and Madison Long and extended family Martha (Ken) Wortner and Margie (Orville) Long.Cherished Aunt to Bertina (Todd) Manders, Gerda Wynacker and numerous nieces and nephews in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Born in Koewacht, Netherlands, Magdalena ventured to Canada in 1950 following the aftermath of WWII for a better life with her husband and two very young daughters. Knowing very little English and a handful of worldly possessions but full of determination and a great work ethic, Magdalena began their new life on a dairy farm in Cornwall. This was part of the government relocation program of moving Dutch emigrants from war torn Netherlands to Canada where there was a great demand for new farmers. Once the relocation contract was complete, Magdalena and her family moved south to the area of the Sandhills in Norfolk County and later to Mount Brydges where they sharecropped tobacco for over 10 years.
After scrimping and saving, the family finally made Bothwell their home on Austin Line on their very own 100-acre tobacco farm. Work in tobacco during the 1960s and 70s was certainly not easy work, but you would never know that from Magdalena as she would never complain. She would cook three meals a day for a harvest gang of 20 on top of her regular chores of tying tobacco onto slats to hand in the kiln and a never-ending list of household chores to follow.
Upon retirement from the tobacco industry, Magdalena certainly did not slow down. Her hands were never idle. For years, she would grow her own food for the year in her 1-acre garden, a tradition she started many years before. Knitting and crocheting creations for family and friends or to donate to charitable organizations was her passion. Her determination and self-drive has certainly taken her far through the years. The part she cherished the most was the opportunity to be a part of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives for so many years.
The Coone family wish to thank the staff at Babcock Community Care Centre for taking such great care of Magdalena, treating her as part of their family when the Coone family could not be there in person. The Coone family also wish to extend their gratitude to Dr. Kamar and the staff at Four Counties Hospital who also greatly assisted over the years in Magdalena’s care.
A small family service and interment will be held at a future date. Online donations to Babcock Community Care Centre or Four Counties Health Services and condolences may be made at www.badderfuneralhome.com