OVERWATER, Johanna Sophia (Ann). Passed away peacefully at Waikato Hospital on Sunday, 19th April 2026, aged 89 years. Adored wife of Frank. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Paul, Michael, Anita, Bridget, Roger, and their partners. Cherished Oma of her 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
A Rosary for Ann will be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Anzac Street, Cambridge, on Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 at 5.00pm, followed by a Requiem Mass on Thursday, 23rd April 2026 at 11.00am. Thereafter, burial at Hautapu Public Cemetery. Messages to the Overwater family may be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, or left in Ann’s online tribute book at www.grinters.co.nz
22 Messages:
Auntie Ann,
We still remember you kindess on our visit to New Zealand way back in the 90’s. You were so generous and thoughtful, introducing us to a whole circle of aunts, uncles and cousins I had not yet met. You even organised a special dinner just for us before introducing us to the rest of the Overwater tribe. You were the heart of Cambridge bringing warmth, joy and generosity to everyone. Uncle Frank sorry for your loss. What a beautiful example of love and the partnership you and Ann shared. Sending our love from Australia to the Overwater family, at this time, it was a lovely service to celebrate Ann’s Life.
Lieve tante Annie wij hopen dat u uw verdiende rust krijgt. En veel sterkte voor de kinderen. Jullie zullen haar missen.
Liefs Petra en Arjen
Van: piet hendriks
Datum: 21 april 2026 om 19:12:08 CEST
Aan: elly@enkweg.com
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Groeten Piet
Aunt Annie,
Annie was the youngest sister of our mother Rie. She grew up with brother Theo and Gerard in the milk shop in the Nieuwe Looierstraat in Amsterdam.Her father died at a young age and her mother provided an income from the dairy business.
She married Frans and emigrated to New Zealand, because there was little chance of a home or work here.
At that time there was no money or opportunity for family visits and, on very rare occasions, telephone calls were made.But mother Rie regularly wrote long and beautiful letters.And we received those beautiful cards with beautiful stamps for our birthdays and Christmas.We didn’t know that in the Netherlands at the time.Later, Annie, Frans and the children visited family.Together we sailed on Vinkeveense plassen with our boat.
Only much later, after sister Rie had taken English lessons, did she visit.
We also visited with our partners and saw Annie as a woman with humor and love.
And so we will remember her as a sweet mother with attention and humor.
May she be so remembered.
Ann…. I will always remember your beautiful nature, your loving kindness….. and your chicken soup! My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family…….RIP
Lieve tante Annie, Alle dierbaren die niet meer onder ons zijn zullen u met liefde ontvangen. Uw hoeft nu gelukkig geen strijd meer te leveren. U heeft uw rust nu meer dan verdiend.
Rust zacht.
Uw nichtje uit Nederland Linda
.
We watched the mass and tribute from across the ditch. Our prayers and best wishes to Uncle Frank and the family. Aunty Ann will never be forgotten. We remember her for poise, elegance, and charm. She made us all feel loved. Best wishes Anne (Overwater) Huysing and Jo and Trevor Hibbert.
All my very best to my good friend Roger and the rest of the Overwater family. So sorry for your loss. I’m sorry I can’t be there today, but you are in my thoughts. Lots of love to you all.
– Ron
Ann was a person who looked at life on the brightside did not find fault in anyone and loved her family with all her heart. You will be missed by all , we send all our love and thoughts to your family now and always.
To our darling Ann,
We will miss your beautiful soul. Thank you for so many special memories together. May you rest with the angels in heaven.
Love always
Theo & Rose ❤️❤️
Lieve tante Annie,
We zullen u herinneren als een lieve, betrokken tante met veel humor. Altijd geïnteresseerd in het wel en wee van ons en onze kinderen en kleinkinderen. We zullen u missen. Rust in vrede.
We will remember you as a sweet, caring aunt with a great sense of humor. Always interested in the well-being of us, our children, and grandchildren. We will miss you. Rest in peace.
Marja en Nico
Dear family,
I wish you all much strength with the loss of your beloved mother, wife, and my dear aunt Annie. I cherish the beautiful memories of her and hope she is now reunited with her departed family members, including father Theo and mother Ans. The Mesman family is now complete in heaven.
Farewell, dear aunt.
With love,
Dear family,
I wish you all much strength with the loss of your beloved mother, wife, and my dear aunt Annie. I cherish the beautiful memories of her and hope she is now reunited with her departed family members, including father Theo and mother Ans. The Mesman family is now complete in heaven.
Farewell, dear aunt.
With love,
Margret Mesman
I will remember Anne as ‘Mikes Mum’ whom in my younger years always welcomed me into the home, let my car drip oil on her driveway (!) and had a warm smile and sharp sense of humour, you will be missed by many.
Dave Smit
Condolences to the Overwater family .Anne will be deeply missed in our church community .Rest in peace Anne Robyn Thurston
So many memories but also not enough of our Oma xx
Loved and cherished as an incredible woman who was always thinking of her family. I remember so much about our years growing up & the light she had – the smell of coffee, hagelslag sandwiches, fighting over who got the gouda cheese, “klap eens je handjes” song, and fruit lollies in her car – among so many other things. I can still hear her voice and way she was always so happy to see us.
Having moved my family overseas she was always checking in to make sure I was doing okay, knowing what it was like to move to a new country xx
Wish my children could have experienced her love and kindness as they grow up as much as we were all lucky enough to do. Never forgotten – Rest in Love & Peace
Enjoy the family reunion on the other side, with your family who left us too soon as well xx
Lots of Love
Brittany
To My Mum with Love from Your Eldest Son Paul
An ODE to Mum
When your chair sits empty at the table
And your voice no longer fills the room
We wont let the silence make us think
That you disappeared to soon
When we find your cloak in the hallway
Still shaped like you were there
We will hold it close, I promise you
Your love is in the air
We wont measure life by final breaths
or by the closing days
We will measure it by every time
You chose for us to stay
After you pass away
We wont let your heart turn cold
Every word you said
Is ours to keep and hold
You will be the whisper in the wind
That brushes through our hair
The quiet strength inside our chest
When life feels so unfair
After you pass away
We know you aren’t gone
Love doesn’t end in heaven
It simply carries on
When the nights feel heavy
And the world feels twice as loud
I’ll close my eyes and meet you there
Beyond the breaking clouds
You’ll sit beside our sorrow
Like you always used to do
And if tears fall down my face
They will fall on you too
We won’t remember you for dying
We remember how you lived
Remember how we held your hand
Because letting go would hurt too much
And when our time is ending
And the sky turns golden gray
I won’t be afraid to close my eyes
Because I know you’ll be there
I´ve been thinking about Oma non stop and feeling really emotional. It´s hard to put into words how we´re allowed to feel. But all I see is her bright, happy smile and the twinkle in her eyes.
I keep coming back to going to her house and how it always felt like such a treat – the fruit lollies in the car we´d all fight over, the Dutch cheese and hagelslag, and just how loved and spoiled we always felt with her. She introduced me to avocado sandwiches before they were even a thing, and everything about being with her felt warm and comforting.
She bought me Noddy when I was a baby and I still have him – he´s still my go to comfort for times I´m sad
I also keep thinking about more recent visits, and how her eyes would light up when she saw us, especially Maxton. I´ll never forget her taking his cow for rides on her walker – it was just so gentle and so her.
I know life changed over the years, but I´ll always be so grateful for the memories we did have with her. She was such a kind, caring and loving woman, and we were so lucky to have her as our Oma
Love Tara
With deep love, we remember Ann, a loving Mother, Mother-in-Law, Oma and Great Oma.
Ann was kind and warm, with a wonderful sense of humour that brought light to those around her.
Her love for her Family ran deep & she held a special place in her heart for her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Though life did not always allow her to share in every moment, her love was always there – constant and unconditional.
She will be deeply missed by her son Paul, Daughter in Law Cathy & her Grandchildren Brittany, Tara and Sienna and her Great Grandchildren Xaiyah, Kiyana, Maxton, Kaydius and Florence. Forever loved and remembered.
Hello, My sympathy to Frank and all the Overwater family. Our memories are from days in the rotary Club of Cambridge. So our sympathy from myself and Christine. To remember a life well lived.
Dear Ann
I will miss you dearly Ann Love you to bits .I am so pleased that we still had so many talks together
Gerard will be there in heaven with you Ann .rest in peace
Love you Pita
Ann dear friend you will be sorely missed your lovely smile and laughter will be shared with all your friends in heaven. You fought so hard but now you are at peace.
Love you
Sue
Tante Anne,
Your smile, laughter.and sense of humour will always be remembered.
Hopefully you have caught up with mum and are once again laughing in the isles of Shoprite and playing bridge with the ladies.
Ron, Jacqui & Logan