Annie K. Van Hek Franciscus

If you could see me now,

you wouldn't shed a tear.

Though you may not understand

why I'm no longer here.

Remember my spirit, that's the real me.

I'm still very much alive, oh, if you could only see!

I've beheld our Father's face.

I've touched my Savior's hand.

The angels all rejoiced as I entered the Promised Land. Beyond the gates of pearl,

I walk on golden streets.

I've touched the walls of jasper,

dipped my foot in the crystal sea.

The beauty is beyond words,

nothing can compare.

I've even seen your mansion;

someday I will meet you there.

Allow Jesus to be your guide,

His word will show you the way.

So, please, don't cry!

We will meet again someday!

By Patsy Stambaugh Deskins

Annie Kathie Van Hek was born in Semerang, Indonesia on September 20th, 1929.

She had 4 brothers and three sisters. She married Eduard Franciscus and they had 4 children,

Margie, Eugene, Rick and Tom.

When Mom was 10 years old and away at boarding school, World War II broke out. Separated

from her parents, she would never see them again.

When anyone asked her what it was like during the war she would exclaim "One day you

have everything, and the next you have nothing!". Experiencing the war at such a young age

is probably what made our Mom such a strong and independent woman, at a time when doing

so was frowned upon.

At the age of seventeen Mom was living with her brother Siem who paid for Mom's education.  After

Siem was massacred, Mom helped his widow and two children get compensation from the

Dutch Government, which paid all their way to The Netherlands. Holland is where she met Dad. They

married and she promised him that if he took her to America, she would work if she had to, because

Holland was just too cold! In 1957, Mom, Dad, Margie and Eugene immigrated to America, ending

up in Columbus, OH. Twelve years and two more sons later, we were able to move to warm

Southern California, where Mom thrived – she spent the rest of her life raising her kids and watching

her family grow.

Funeral service for Annie will be Thursday, April 18th at Saint Francis Catholic Church

in Vista, CA after which she will be laid to rest privately in North County Cemetery.

A memorial reception will be held following the funeral in the Community  Recreation Room at

3402 Plaza Del Oro Way, Oceanside CA (condominium complex next to AAA)... all

family and friends are invited to attend both the funeral and memorial. Parking spots may be

sparse for the reception, so it is suggested to car pool when possible. Alternatively, there is a large parking lot

on the corner of Vista Way and Rancho Del Oro Road (Ocen Terrace Professional Center) and is only

a 5 minute walk to the Rec Center. Also, the Vista Assembly of God Church have graciously offered to shuttle

people from their parking lot (290 N Melrose Ave. in Vista) to the reception area… their van will leave Vista Assembly of God

at around 12:15 and make additional runs if necessary. Return trips will be made at 4:00pm.

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