Obituary of Alice Haak

Alice Haak, 86, of Toms River, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at the Rose Garden Care Center, Toms River. Alice was born and raised in Rotterdam, Holland. She survived the bombing of Rotterdam and the occupation of the Nazis in World War II. During the war she volunteered at Rotterdam Hospital and was a member of the Netherland's Red Cross. In 1949, after waiting five years for a visa, she came to the United States with her family leaving behind her friends and many family members. They first settled in Hoboken and Alice enjoyed learning English and working in NYC. She moved from Rutherford to Toms River in 1964. Alice was a nanny for several families in the local area for many years. She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Toms River where she supported the missionary fund. She enjoyed being a mom and loved her two grandchildren. She lived a simple life and would remind us to take time to smell the roses and to be thankful for what you have. She was predeceased by her mother Harriet Minnes in 1996, her father Adam Minnes in 2003, and her brother Edward Minnes in 1992. May God Bless Mr. Andrew Shawn and his entire staff at Rose Garden, for the outstanding care Alice received in her final years. Alice is survived by her son, Alexander Van Haak of Island Heights; two daughters, Rita A. D'Esposito and her husband Vincent of Toms River; Cynthia Haak of Toms River; sister, Diny Greenhall of Toms River; sister in law, Georgiana Minnes of Pine Beach; two grandchildren, Marc Edward D'Esposito and Isabel C. D'Esposito; favorite nephew Jack Greenhall and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Willy Atlas, life long friend of Fort Lee, NJ and Cheslea Haines-Goodman, whom she cared for as a nanny for many years and considered her another daughter. Visitation will be held Friday from 7 to 9 pm at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ. Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, at the First Baptist Church, 700 Main Street, Toms River, followed by burial at Whiting Memorial Park, Whiting, NJ. Letters of condolence may be sent by visiting, www.kedzfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, Alice would have appreciated donations be sent to First Baptist Church of Toms River, Missionary Fund.