Johanne Margrethe Knudsen

Is now at rest with God and reunited with her husband Lykke Knudsen, who meant so much to her for over 40 years. Johanne was born in Svendborg Denmark, March 26 1918 and died peacefully at Baycrest Hospital Toronto, October 17th, 2011. She was born during the final year of WWI, survived and grew to adulthood during the Great Depression, got married and gave birth to twins while surviving the German occupation of her homeland. In this way, she developed and demonstrated a great deal of strength and flexibility. Hanne lived her live with love, humility and a genuine appreciation for the small beauties of life. After her immigration to Canada, she continued her attachment to and her involvement to Christianity by helping to establish a congregation of the Danish Lutheran Church in Toronto and working tirelessly to build and strengthen it. Hanne loved life and was always busy doing something, helping in the greenhouses, keeping her home ready for visitors at any time, attending and helping in the church making crafts, knitting and sewing for family. The Scandinavian Club of Oshawa was important to her for many years. With other members of the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada, she was also active in supporting the building and maintenance of the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson, Alberta.
When she started her new life in Canada in 1957 Hanne had neither extended family, nor friends and she needed to learn a new language and a new culture. She used her hard earned determination to acquire the skills needed to be successful and happy in several situations. The rural village of Enniskillen and Orangeville became dear to her as she worked and found friends in the Horticulture Societies. The suburbs of Scarborough and Bramalea were the locations where she finished helping her four children grow to adulthood and assisted other families with children as a beloved nanny. The last 15 years she lived alone in an apartment in a high rise city
building and was loved and respected as an honorary granny and senior member of the building residents. She loved to travel and after Lykke’s death July 1989, she was constantly on the move to Denmark, Costa Rica, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and many points in between. She readily accepted new technologies and was active on Facebook and Skype until her very last days. We will miss her but are happy for the time that we had with her. We want to express a special appreciation to the staff of 6W at Baycrest Hospital for helping us make it possible for her to live the last six months of her life with dignity. Her love and devotion to her family will always be an anchor in our lives. Sons: Jorgen (Thelma), Allan (Jennifer), Daughers: Birthe (Orla), Lise (Asger); 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The celebration of her life will take place at the Danish Lutheran Church of Toronto, 72 Finch Ave. West, on Tuesday October 25th, starting with readings at 10:30am, service at 11am, burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens at 2:30pm. Donations to honour her name may be made to the Danish Lutheran Church of Toronto or the Danish Canadian National Museum Society. Please visit Hanne’s Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com