Willemina J. Van Egmond

Willemina was known as a sweet and elegant lady with a cheerful disposition. She was born in 1936 in Leiden, the Netherlands. Willemina became a Kindergarten teacher and later married Gerard Van Egmond in January 1960. They moved to Columbus, Ohio in the U.S. where they settled in Upper Arlington to raise their three children, Hilda, Gerard Jr. and Ingrid. Gerard (Jerry) worked in the Garden Center business for years until he began his own Landscape Design and Installation business. Willemina (Willy) had a key supportive role in the thriving business.

Sailing the Lake Erie islands became great summer weekend getaways. The boats got larger and the sailing trips became longer. Willy agreed to longer voyages as long as there was a home to return to in Columbus. Willy, Jerry and family sailed the coasts of Florida and the Keys, the Bahamas, Chesapeake Bay region, and Georgian Bay, Canada. Eventually, the family business was sold to embark on a new endeavor. Jerry and a crew of three including their son sailed across the Atlantic to England and to their homeland via their own vessel. Willy was instrumental in preparing the boat and crew of four men. She and her youngest daughter and close friend flew to the Netherlands to join Jerry for the European portion of the journey. They visited family in the Netherlands as long as possible before cruising south on the rivers of Europe, through the many locks in France to the Mediterranean Sea. The general route was Spain, the French and Italian Rivieras to Sardinia, to the Tiber River close to Rome, then on to Naples and Capri. It was a nine month journey on board a fifty foot ketch that ended in Malta. It was an amazing life chapter. About two years later, Jerry passed away and Willy would say, “I had my true love, and I have my wonderful kids.”

Willy moved forward on her own. She traveled over the years with different family members whereby each trip brought joy in experiencing faraway places together. Willy was a member of PEO Sorority for over 47 years. She was a member of Olympus League and served as President. Willy became a proud U.S. Citizen after living in the country for fifty years. She worked to support herself as a talented Bridal Gown Consultant. She loved “her Brides” while working at Wendy’s Bridal and retired at age eighty. Willy enjoyed home life. One of her great hobbies was working in her yard at home. She cared for her flowers and plants so passionately. She loved art, music and decorating. Nature was Willy’s cathedral.

Willy lived her last four years at The Forum at Knightsbridge retirement community where she enjoyed friends and kind, dedicated staff. Willy entered Hospice Care at The Forum surrounded by family. We rejoice in knowing that Willy and Jerry are reunited in heaven and sailing together.

Willemina is survived by her sister Janneke Bossard in the Netherlands, her daughter Hilda Spillers (Tim), son Gerard Van Egmond (Gina), daughter Ingrid Smith (Craig), grandchildren Stephanie, Justin, Connor, Alex, Sydney and great grandchild Natalia. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 3-6 PM on Friday, August 4, 2023 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221.

If you chose to make a donation, the family kindly recommends, the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org