(August 8, 1923 - September 9, 2018) - On Sunday September 9, 2018 Henriette Maria Gysbertha Petronella McCULLOUGH (formally Mrs. H. BEKKING) (Nee MERKX) passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ontario.
Henriette was born in Elden, The Netherlands on August 8, 1923. She was active during the Second World War working for the Green Cross (later the Red Cross) helping with the sick and elderly. Shortly after the war she started her nursing studies in Deotinchem, The Netherlands, where she met her future husband Hans Bekking. After living in Indonesia for a short time they immigrated to Canada in 1958, and raised four children. She continued her nursing career in various hospitals in Ontario the majority of which were spent at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. She was instrumental in organizing the first nursing association at Royal Victoria Hospital.
Henriette was preceded in death by her father, Johannes MERKX, mother Maria LEONARDS and husband Hans BEKKING. She is survived by her four children, Michael, Robert, Joanne and William and nine grandchildren Matthew, Curtis, Katie, Christian, Mary-Martha, Clare, Veronica, Frances and Kristen.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 65 Amelia Street, Barrie Ontario. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to Covenant House on 20 Gerrard Street East, Toronto Ontario M5B 2P3.