Hielkje de Haan

Hilda de Haan, born in Eestrum, Netherlands to Jan and Hinke Vissia on June 17, 1934, passed peacefully into the presence of her Saviour on December 16, 2021, at 8:35am, at the age of 87. Her family had the privilege of caring for her in her own home, during a long and slow decline until 6 days before her passing, when she was transferred to Cowichan Hospice House. She was surrounded by her loved ones and the staff provided gentle, loving care for all of her needs.

We mourn the loss of our dear mother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, grandma, great grandma, great-great grandma, aunt and friend, but we are relieved that her passing was peaceful and she is no longer suffering. We have lost the Matriarch of our family and she will be missed by all who knew her, but she will live on in our hearts eternally.

Hilda was predeceased by her husband Jan de Haan, her brother Harry Vissia, brother in laws Bill Weening and John Stevenson, her son Bill de Haan, her son-in-laws Darreld Rayner and Marc Dupont, and her daughter-in-law Daneen de Haan.

She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Dorothy(Gerry), Ron(Willie), Gerry(Cheryl), Mike(Juliette), Theo(Alice), Linda, Judy(Jim), Helen and Nick; her children Hinke, John(Sabine), Jinny(Harry), Arnie, Ann, Renita(Mark), Shawn(Kelly), daughter-in-law Deborah, and numerous (too many to list) grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends.

Proverbs 31:28a Her children arise and call her blessed;

She sewed, crocheted and knitted for everyone until her Parkinson Disease didn’t allow for her hands to be steady. The Walton’s, Wheel of Fortune and the Price is Right were often a part of her day, along with playing Dice, Skip-Bo and Rummy-o. She always played for fun, but always won! Having the gift of hospitality, everyone who visited would be met with coffee/tea and homemade treats... always having a tin of cookies to feed an army. Every year mom preserved all that dad grew in his garden and grew on his trees. She would drop whatever she was doing to serve a meal from whatever she had on hand.

Mom was our first mentor, our loving teacher, the rock that held us altogether, bringing such immense love and light into our lives. She loved the Lord, loved serving Him in all she did, and loved reading her Bible. Mom sacrificially served and cared for others and her gentle and compassionate spirit touched so many generations of lives. She began each day listening (participating) to hymn singing, and ended each day listening to Dr. David Jeremiah.

She was one of the strongest and wisest people we have ever known, going above and beyond to keep unity with everyone she knew. She never judged anyone and accepted you for who you were. She had such amazing faith, setting the example for all of us. Mom loved everyone, and always chose to see the best in people.

Her faith and courage during her life was a constant and it was remarkable to see her unwavering faith right up until the very end. This unwavering faith in her Savior is such an encouragement to us as she lived through the pain and suffering, always saying her work for the Lord must not be done yet. While our hearts are broken, we are so thankful that she is free from pain and enjoying the reality of salvation in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ. We can rest assured that, as we keep talking to Jesus on earth, Mom will be talking to Jesus face to face.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm, on Thursday, December 30th, 2021 at New Life Church, 1839 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan, BC. Due to COVID restrictions, no reception will follow.

Special thanks to Dr Burger for keeping Mom the Captain of her own ship; Dr Adzich for his compassionate visits; Cowichan Hospice House for all your support and care for Mom, and our whole family; Homecare Nurses - Kate, Brandy, Bonnie to name several; Homecare Aids – Grace, Marilyn and the others; Jason and the staff at Mann’s Pharmacy who went above and beyond providing her pharmaceutical needs. Caring for Hilda in her own home would not be possible without your support along the way and we are eternally grateful.