Aug 24, 1947 - Feb 23, 2018
Ena Audrey Lanting (nee Ina Aukje Boer) was born on August 24, 1947 in Loppersum, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Ena's family immigrated to Canada at Pier 21 in Halifax on August 17, 1951, eventually settling in Hatzic, BC. Ena attended Abbotsford Christian School and began teaching there before she even graduated! After moving to Agassiz to teach at Agassiz Christian School, she met John Lanting and they were married on April 16, 1968. They had 4 children and were married for 41 years before John passed away in July 2009.
She went back to school at the age of 60 and received specialized training in teaching children with special needs; she doted on her students and tutored many children outside of regular school hours. Ena was heavily involved in volunteer work with many different organizations (BFM Thrift store, Agassiz Agricultural Society/Fall Fair, Harrison Mills Stitch and Rip, Lydia Club, Agassiz Christian Reformed Church, the Agassiz Library Society and more.)
Ena loved hobbies including jam making, quilting, knitting, sewing and gardening. People came from miles around to see the flower gardens that she and John planted every year.
In 2017 Ena began her year-long battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma. On February 23, 2018, at the Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack, she passed peacefully into the arms of her Saviour surrounded by her family.
Ena is survived by her children Yvonne (Doug), David, Chris (Christina), Jeff (Karina) and grandchildren Sharra, Nicholas, Kalisa, Cassidy, Tyson, Carter, Hayden, Roman, Judah and Grayson; her siblings Ricki (Herman), George (Flory) and Brenda (Jim) and many other extended family members.
A celebration of life will be held at Agassiz CRC on Sat., March 3, 2018 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Renew Canada (3475 Mainway Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8) or Chilliwack Hospice Society (7112 Vedder Road Chilliwack, BC V2R 3T6.)