Grace (Plomp) Mensink

I am proud to spend a few moments remembering someone very special. Someone you could admire, look up to and receive guidance from. My mom, Our mom, Grace Plomp was born in Hellendoorn in 1920. And in 1948, (as a Dutch immigrant), she landed in Halifax. She had two daughters, Jenny at 3 yrs and Willy at 8 mos. They realized 7 mo. later, that she was pregnant with a third daughter too. Janet says, she is "made in Holland". Mom good judge of character, had strong faith in God, and a dependable sense of right and wrong. She had unconditional love, especially of family. She had a real conviction that you love your kids, no matter what. Dad saw that love and devotion when he met her at the fair in Hellendoorn. She became Grace Mensink in 1944. ('Good choice Dad, You also possess a food judgement of character'.) -61 years!! They remained committed in their love and devotion- for almost 62 years. In Moms's down time wholesome entertainments like reading, favorite T.V. program. The Tommy Hunter Show, I Love Lucy, Don Messers Jubillee and anytime the Sound of Music, Mom was front and center. For something a little more stimulating, Saturday Night Wrestling. It was our entertainment to watch Mom on Bulldog Brown's nasty stunts Mom jump right out of her seat. Indignant, 'that dirty guy could get away with that.' I think that's where she learned the move of pulling someones hair. She always threatened to whenever we were out of line, but we could run faster. Outside of the household, and working alongside her husbnd on the farm, Mom was active in the Ladies Aide at Emmanuel Reformed Church and later acting as secretary to the Ladies Aide in the Windfall United Church. She shared her belief in God with us at home, and she received peaceful nourishment in reading the Bible. She included all of us in daily prayer. Coming from the depression times of World War II, she was committed to the role of keeping her family well fed, "and I do mean well fed." Check out these recepes. Stomp Pot covered in a sprinkle of allspice, those belly filling pannekooken, (it's said that they have healing powers), potatoes and borrenkole topped with dutch sausage and coming home from church on Sunday, we were always greeted by the aroma of Moms famous home-made Chicken Noodle Soup. And long before the benefits of omega three in fish oil, Mom was lining us up for a healthy tablespoon-of-cod-liver-oil. with a 'chaser' teaspoon-of-sugar. As children we began our meals asking God to bless this food and thanking God for all the above (with the exception of that last item). The holidays were a time of family and traditional dutch delights. Oliebollen dipped in icing sugar for New Years Eve was a task that took Mom all day to prepare, but little time for us to devour. Easter tradition included a large bowl of hard boiled eggs. I'm sure (to moms amusement), a competition began to see who could eat the most. (13 for John, 9 for Nancy)- This was probably the only time Mom didn't encourage us to 'eat a little more'; 'have some more potatoes, have som more meat, have some more gravy', but never 'have some more hard boiled eggs'. And unfortunately we didn't leave room for the healing power of the pannekooken. Chocolat letters were eagerly anticipated by all of us kids. This Christmas time tradition still enjoyed by 14 Grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren, 4 Great Great Grandchildren. Some of us remember the special things such as the yarn dolls she made, the button box full of various old buttons that she used to teach Ann and some of the older grandkids their multiplication, the home-made butter, her knitting, and the endless hours she spent darning socks. We will always remember her infectious smile and a belly-shaking laugh, and her great sense of humour, without any reserve or exception mom accepted everyone eagerly into the family. She loved us all, was proud of us all, and took joy in all of our accomplishments. Mom was always present as a positive, solid presence in the backgroud of our lives. A cornerstone at the farm. We didn't have a care in the world - that's when mom was there. And whenever we are proud of ourselves, and we do good, and when we see nice traits in ourselves and we look for nice traits in other people - Grace Mensink will always still be here with us. We'll keep her in spirit and in our souls we'll meet again.

Service Details

Friday, February 10th, 2006 1:30pm, Longworth Funeral Home

Interment Details

Innerkip Cemetery