Obituary of Anna de Bok

Anna de Bok of Garnerville, NY died peacefully surrounded by her four daughters on October 19, 2023.  Anna was born on August 7, 1929 in Bandung, Indonesia, one of ten children born to Hendrik and Mimi Noothout. In 1941, during World War II, the Japanese invaded the Indonesian islands. At the age of 12, for three years, Anna was imprisoned with her brothers and sisters in the Japanese internment camps. Her older brothers were captured and sent to work in the brutal Japanese mines. Anna did not see her mother until the end of the war when the Japanese surrendered, in 1945. It was ten years later when Anna would resume her education to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. At the same time, Anna fell in love with a young Merchant Marine, Alex de Bok, and they married. While living in Indonesia, they had two little girls, Sheila and Arlette. Life in Indonesia was difficult. There was an opportunity to move to the Netherlands and they left. There, they were blessed with their third girl, Giselle (Sally). Wanting to come to America, Alex and Anna were sponsored by the Dutch Reformed Church of Spring Valley and landed at Kennedy Airport in 1960 with their three girls. Alex and Anna found a two bedroom bungalow at the Pascack Motel where Anna worked cleaning rooms and making beds. And then another blessing, a fourth child was born, Annette. Because Anna’s degree in nursing was not recognized in the U.S., she returned to school, successfully passing the registered nurse exam. Many new doors of opportunities opened for her. Anna worked for over 25 years at Nyack Hospital on the Orthopedic Floor as well as at the old Ramapo General Hospital on Route 45. She was a private nurse for the mother of the Superintendent of BOCES, Dr. John Hopf, on Pascack Road. Anna served as treasurer for the United Church of Spring Valley (formerly the Dutch Reformed Church) and in their breakfast program, leaving home at 3:30am for this weekly shift! After retirement, Anna volunteered at the Pomona Health Center, taking wheelchair patients for strolls. Saint Gregory’s School was also fortunate to have Anna as a nurse. Anna loved water aerobics with ladies at the Helen Hayes Hospital pool and also played ten cent bingo at the Town of Haverstraw Seniors Club where she often was a big winner. Anna loved to travel across America, visiting Hawaii and the Grand Canyon, as well as the Netherlands and Australia. She regularly ventured to see her daughters in Florida and Virginia. Anna was the best babysitter for her grandchildren and known affectionately as Oma to friends. Anna became an avid fan of the North Rockland Red Raiders and Lee High School Lancers in Virginia. She attended lacrosse, hockey, baseball, soccer and softball games and figure skating lessons. As a skilled seamstress, Anna made children’s Halloween costumes, including a General Patton costume. At Easter, Anna boiled hundreds of eggs for the grandchildren’s annual egg hunts. She was so good at hiding eggs, many were never found. Anna was an exceptional Asian food cook, known for her egg rolls and wontons enjoyed by everyone. Anna has a beloved community of Indonesian and Dutch friends in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California areas, and together they celebrated their heritage in their new life in America. Anna, Rest in Peace. 

Anna is pre-deceased by her husband, Alex de Bok; brothers Max Noothout (Mien), Johan Noothout, Arend(Wim) Noothout (Yo), Theo Noothout (Ade), Edu Noothout, Jan Noothout, and sister Annie Prins (Leopoldo-Cos);brothers-in-law Frtiz da Thesta, Harry da Thesta (Emma), Eddy da Thesta (Sylvia); sister Trudy Linderman. Anna is survived by her sisters Johanna-Antje deBruin (Tony), Tieneke (Rieka) Wensel (Ronnie) and her sister-in-law Willemina Sharma (Edu); brother-in-law Harmen da Thesta (Maria); daughters Sheila Allen (Kim), Arlette Phillips (Howard), Giselle Schade (Robert) and Annette D’Amelio (Robert): grandchildren Chase (Sumita), Chris, Veronica, Thomas, Anthony (Dana), Nicholas, William, Olivia (Brandon) and Randell; and great grandchildren Declan and Divya; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 4pm - 8pm at TJ McGowan Sons Funeral Home, 71 N. Central Hwy, Garnerville, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, 11amat St. Gregory Barbarigo Church, 21 Cinder Road in Garnerville, followed by interment at Mt. Repose Cemetery, 9W in Haverstraw.