Helena Catharina Brouwer's Obituary
Helena “Helen” C. Brouwer, 82, of Palmetto, Florida passed away June 18, 2015 at Manatee Memorial Hospital, with family by her side. Helen was born in Anna Paulowna, Netherlands on September 22, 1932, to the late; Cornelius and Afra Maria (nee Broers) Conjin. After being asked to a dance three times by the ever so handsome, Hendricus “Henk” Brouwer, Helen agreed and they soon married in the Netherlands. They moved to the US in 1956 and married again at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Palmetto. Henk and his brother started Brouwer’s Flowers of Palmetto in the 1960’s, a wholesale nursery specializing in holiday flowers, including Chrysanthemums and Easter Lillies. Helen shared her talents within the business, but took the greatest pride in her role as homemaker and mother of 7 children. She enjoyed making Rosaries, crocheting and knitting thousands of scarves. Helen was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and volunteered in the church gift shop.
Helen, also known as “Leny” by her family in the Netherlands, is survived by her children; Casey (Patricia) Brouwer, of Plantation, FL, Henry (Libby) Brouwer, of Bradenton, FL, Peter (Michelle) Brouwer, of Martin, GA, Daniel (Sheila) Brouwer, of Holmes Beach, FL, Theresa Nethery, of Palmetto, FL, Maria (Mark) Rutter of Tampa, FL, Afra (Theodore) Wade, of Murphy, NC, 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one more on the way. Helena also leaves behind her siblings in the Netherlands; Tiny (Hans) Bertens, Gerard Conijn, Piet (Annie) Conijn, Nico (Betty) Conijn, Louis Conijn, Marian Conijn, Ed (Herma) Conijn and Jan (Marie) Conijn, of California. Helen was preceded in death in 2009 by her husband of 54 years, Henk Brouwer, by her parents and brother, Jacob Conijn and his wife Gaarie.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Friday, June 19, 2015 in the Glass Chapel of Skyway Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Funeral services will be conducted at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Saturday, June 20, 2015, beginning with the rosary at 8:15 am, Mass will begin at 9:00 am. Following the mass, Helen will be laid to rest at Skyway Memorial Gardens.
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