Anna Petronella Maria Chamberlain
Obituary for Anna Petronella Maria Chamberlain (née Dircks)
December 27, 1948 – January 7, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Anna Petronella Maria Chamberlain, who left this world peacefully on January 7, 2026, with her daughters lovingly by her side.
“We are all stories in the end, remembered by the adventures we had, the achievements we made and the people we loved. So make sure your story is a good one.” – Nishan Panwar
Anna’s story began in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where she was born to Leonardus (“Len/Leo”) and Barendina (“Tina”) Dircks. In 1956, her family embarked on a remarkable journey, immigrating to British Columbia, Canada. From Rotterdam, they sailed aboard the Big Bear, Holland America landing in Montreal, then traveling by train to Vancouver, and finally by a ferry to Duncan on Vancouver Island. When she was twelve, the family settled in Prince Rupert, where Anna grew into her teenage years and remained connected to the community for many more decades.
As her life unfolded, Anna embraced love and companionship with an open heart. She experienced more than one marriage, each union marking a chapter filled with lessons, laughter, and adventure. Though her path was unconventional, it reflected her belief in living fully and fearlessly. From these unions and her many loves, Anna’s greatest joy came in becoming the mother of her two daughters, Barendina and Alexandra.
A free spirit at heart, Anna lived life as a true gypsy, calling many places home across British Columbia and even spending time in Biloxi, Mississippi. Among all the places she lived, Vancouver was where Anna truly loved being—and where she was living when she passed. She cherished her apartment balcony with its breathtaking view of the North Shore mountains and the ocean, a sanctuary that brought her peace and joy.
She delighted in spontaneous adventures. Her zest for life was matched only by her versatility. Anna was a true jill of all trades: fisherwoman, highway flagger and equipment operator, alderwoman of Port Edward, waitress, owner/caterer, ran the restaurant at the top of Mt hayes, deli operator, and even a Coast Guard lightkeeper. Her love of cooking was a lifelong passion. She also gave generously of her time in her later years in Vancouver, supporting food banks and women’s shelters.
Anna’s humor was infectious. She loved to laugh, joke, and play with words, often turning phrases backward in her own quirky way. Some sayings—like “Excuse me ladies but I’m a pig” and “Got to race like a piss horse”. She lived unapologetically, on her own terms, with a fierce independence and a boundless heart. Always ready to stand up for others, Anna was a champion of people, causes, and community. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and joy that will continue to shine through the countless stories shared by family and friends.
Anna will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Barendina Smith (Daniel) and Alexandra Rivera (José); her cherished grandchildren Ashley, Dustin, Tanner, Shayde, Kadie, and Journey; and her precious great-grandchildren Jonathan, Jacob, Keatyn, Aria, Teagan, and Frankie. She will also be missed by her sister Correna, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, adopted family, and dear friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Len and Tina Dircks, and her siblings Ben, Arnold, and Bea.
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” – Anonymous
Anna’s story was indeed a good one—full of adventure, laughter, resilience, and love. Her memory will forever be a treasure to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
In Loving Memory
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