Hendrika 'Ricki' Maria Cops

A woman who loved and was loved in equal measure exited this life on June 7, 2024, one day shy of her 91st birthday.

On June 8, 1933, Hendrika Maria Konings entered this life in Rosendaal, The Netherlands, the youngest of 13 children of two (very) observant Catholics. Living in a two-bedroom house, the girls shared one room, the boys another, and her parents slept in the root cellar. Her formative years were spent during the occupation of the Netherlands during WWII, an experience she rarely spoke of except when the odd remembrance would be voiced during her time with dementia. Shortly before she died, she had a recollection of running in her white confirmation shoes as those around her warned of shelling a short distance away. Much happier times were spent with her extensive family and friends, doing stereotypical Dutch things like ice skating on canals.

In 1955, she married the love of her life, Edmund Joseph Hendrik Cops from Eindhoven, a tall and dashing officer in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. In 1956, they welcomed their eldest daughter, Caroline. In 1957, the young family made the long journey to Canada and settled on the west coast. Ricki learned English primarily by watching television and retained her beautiful accent throughout, mispronouncing the word “ridiculous” to the very end (“ree-dik-i-lus”).

In time, they completed their family with the addition of three more children: Ron, Joyce, and Ed. The family moved around British Columbia on several occasions, settling in and making the best of what they had. In 1970, the Cops family made their forever home in the seaside town of White Rock. In 1987, Ricki’s world came crashing down with the death of her beloved daughter Joyce, whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 28. Despite hardship, Ricki was resilient and steadfast, always with a twinkle in her bluest of blue eyes.

After retirement, Ricki and Ed travelled to several beachy locales via cruise ship punctuated with visits back home to the Netherlands. She also enjoyed time with their grandchildren, Christie, David, Savanah, Kyle, Tayla and Andrew. Ricki instilled in her grandchildren a collective affection for Yahtzee and gouda cheese with, albeit, mixed results on the dropjes. She leaves fond memories of outstepping much younger folks (ahem, her granddaughter) in fitness classes, pouring over celebrity gossip rags at her kitchen table, and – the most sacred of all rituals – watching The Price is Right while curling her hair, with one grandchild or another perched beside her. Standing a mere 5’1” on a good day, we will all remember her fierce, protective spirit and her ubiquitous stubbornness (a personality trait that did not in fact skip any subsequent generation).

In 2001, Ricki bid a devastating and premature farewell to Ed, her husband of 46 years, after he endured a short battle with cancer, caring for him at home until his death.

In her last lucid years, Ricki enjoyed imbibing in a glass or two and indulging her minor gambling habit at local establishments. She takes with her the recipes to her famous nasi goreng and croquettes, and the deep love and affection of those who knew and loved her.

A private service will be held for family only. If you are moved to do so and in lieu of flowers, please donate to your favourite worthwhile cause.

You were one of a kind. We love you, and we will miss you terribly. Rest well, lovey.