Wilhelmina Sibelina Van Dam

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wilhelmina "Willy" Sibelina Van Dam née Spits, who entered into eternal rest on May 4, 2026, at the Inland Christian Home in Ontario, California.

Born on October 1, 1939, in the Netherlands, Willy’s early life was marked by the resilience of her generation. At the age of 12, following the hardships of World War II, she emigrated with the Spits family to Australia in search of new beginnings. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language, Willy’s spirit remained steadfast.

It was in Australia that she met Cornelis Van Dam, a fellow Dutchman who had also sought a new life abroad after completing his education. The two were wed in 1959 and welcomed their first son a year later. Driven by a desire for further opportunity and to reunite with family, the young Van Dams moved to the United States in 1962.

In her adopted home, Willy and Cornelis welcomed two more children and proudly became United States citizens. Together, they built a vibrant, loving life defined by hard work and devotion to their family.

Willy was a lifelong knitter and became an expert in the needle crafts. She won the “Nimble Fingers” competition at the Los Angeles County Fair so many times that they changed the rules so she could no longer enter and made her a judge.

Willy is now reunited in Heaven with her beloved Cornelis. She will be deeply missed by her children, her extended family, and the many friends who were touched by her kindness and strength.