It is with profound sadness that we share the peaceful passing of our beloved mother,
Carmen VanSantvoort on April 25, 2022, surrounded by her family and holding onto her wedding picture. Carmen will always be remembered as a beautiful, elegant lady with an enormous Joie de vivre. Carmen was a registered nurse, having worked at the old St. Joseph’s and Laurentian hospitals in Sudbury for more than 30 yrs.

Carmen is predeceased by her parents Annie and Leo Campeau. She is also predeceased by her husband, the love of her life, Ronald VanSantvoort some 35 years ago. They shared a very special love and her heart remained devoted to his for all these years. During their marriage, Carmen and Ronald had a fun filled social life with a circle of very good friends, as well as many family social gatherings.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Denis (Jocelyne), Nicole Coleman and Monique Timms (Howard). Carmen was predeceased by her youngest son Richard. She had great relationships with many nephews and nieces, becoming like a second mother to those who have lost theirs.
Carmen survived all of her siblings (Laurent, Lucien, Bernard, Gaston, Laurette, Marcel and baby Ernest) and she could often be heard saying “I know, they are all up there having a party and they forgot to come and get me”, all the time laughing as she reminisced about their many fun filled get togethers.
An adventurist by nature, Carmen accompanied her grandchildren on roller coasters, went parasailing in Mexico, drove to the west coast in her 60s, zip lined in Costa Rica in her 70s, and donned a helmet and went for a side-by-side bush ride in her 90s with her grandson Pierre. Her eyes simply lite up when she spent time with or talked about her grandchildren, Pierre (Michelle), Jasmin (Tracy), Maegan (Sherman), Kaitlyn, Chantal (Jason) and Jesse. She shared a special bond with Kaitlyn who called her to chat every single day from Vancouver. Carmen’s beautiful blue eyes would be radiant when she spent time with or talked about her great grandchildren, Kayden, Malic, Emma, Ava, Brigitte, Dorian, Daniel and Jayden, whom she loved dearly and was so proud of. She also looked forward to meeting her 9th great grandchild expected in mid-June of this year. She will no doubt watch over him from up above.
On this 25th day of April 2022, earth lost one of its most beautiful souls, but God opened his arms and greeted her in heaven, to finally be reunited with her true love, Ronny and her son Richard. You will always have a special place in our hearts Mom, Mimi, Grandma and Grand-maman.
Carmen’s children would like to thank Nancy Labelle and staff (Debbie, Gaetanne and Cora) at Golden Years Retirement home in Val Caron, a small retirement home that feels like a true family home, and where the residents become family members. A sincere thank you as well, to Dr. Desmarais and staff who have cared for Carmen for many years. During this last admission to hospital, we cannot say enough about the wonderful care and support she received at Health Sciences North. All were so very accommodating and so very respectful of our 91 years old mother. A very heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Ste-Marguerite d’Youville Church, Val Thérèse on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations (by cheque only) to Golden Years Retirement Home will be appreciated.