Mrs. Sherry Yolanda Timmer Kingma

THE LIFE OF SHERRY KINGMA A EulogySherry Kingma was born on July 30, 1954 in New Westminster B.C. as Sherry Yolanda Timmer. She was the oldest daughter of Will and Hettie Timmer who had immigrated from Holland a few years earlier. Much of her youth was spent living on a small acreage in Surrey. Great fun was had playing in the bush with her 3 sisters, Corrine, Michelle, Denise and her little brother John. Their home was built piece by piece by her father. The family was raised on the produce picked from her father’s prolific garden and the beef, milk and eggs from their own animals. Sherry was active in school life and was a cheerleader for the basketball team of her high school, Surrey Christian, graduating in 1972. She developed a gleam in her eye that stayed with her for life and illuminated the lives of the many that would grow to love her. In her early working years Sherry worked for the Royal Bank in their downtown Vancouver tower. As she grew older she became ever more beautiful until attracting the attention of the tenacious Peter Kingma. Their rocky courtship survived 5 breakups. Unable to effectively break up however; she married the skinny drywaller in 1975 in Abbotsford, B.C. Within a year they both quit their jobs and went on a cross Canada trip, driving, camping, and clocking 20,000 km. Upon their return, they loaded a Uhaul with their meager possessions and moved up to Smithers. Here they purchased a property in the country which included a crumbling trailer and a joey shack but lacked water or plumbing. After a quick renovation, sweeping out the chicken droppings and texturing the ceiling they moved in. Their next move was to Red Deer , they rented an apartment and two weeks later their first son Daniel was born. A second son, Stephan, soon followed. They moved back to Abbotsford in 1979.After settling down in Arnold on the Sumas flats, in a house they had built the couple moved back into town so they could build up their new construction business, Wilmark Homes Ltd. Building started in earnest. Sherry was very active in the business, doing much of the office work. In 1985 they started Kingma Brothers Developments with Pete’s brother Sid and his wife Jeanette. Over the years 3 more children joined the family, Luke, Rachel and finally Andrea.Despite having 5 children and working, Sherry always had time for others. She volunteered with the Abbotsford Band Festival and ran the New Life Sunday School. She would later volunteer for the church as treasurer, clocking countless hours over many years. She also volunteered at Abbotsford Christian School. Everything was done in great humour and with an infectious, ever-present smile. Her home was a peaceful, happy place despite the mayhem 5 children could cause. She was known for her generous nature, natural wisdom, graciousness and both inner and outer beauty. She was patient at all times and possessed a capacity to find joy in the simple things of life. She endured the ambitions of her husband, Peter. Always encouraging, supporting, counseling and helping him. She was a true woman of God and a mentor and example to many. She was unaware of her countless fine qualities, never understanding why people admired her. Her humility was real and endearing.The family enjoyed countless camping trips with their van, trailer and boats all over the Pacific NW. As their children grew, the family made many trips, renting motor homes and touring numerous countries including Europe, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Australia. As the family grew the children were soon married. They were fruitful and multiplied until at the time of her death Sherry had 14 grandchildren with one due in a month. She loved each one and noticed and encouraged their individual characters, gifts and qualities. She was a noticer of everything around her.Sherry was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in 2003 at the age of 49. Except for a one year remission, she endured 6 years of uninterrupted chemotherapy and many other treatments and procedures. Her body wasted away but her spirits never diminished. She was never heard complaining about her situation despite its relentless attack on her person and her life. She faced it with a steady diet of optimism and gratitude. During her illness she continued to travel between medical appointments and saw much of the world including India, Turkey, Cuba, Dominican, US road trips and several trips to Hawaii. She also continued to pursue her multiple passions: mothering, gardening, kayaking, canoeing, camping, reading, grandchildren, skiing and many trips to the wonderful family cabin on Shuswap Lake.In the summer of this year her condition took a turn for the worse and no further treatments were possible. Much time was spent in hospital and under the care of her husband Peter, daughter Andrea and home care staff. Trips got smaller until a trip to Starbucks and Mill Lake was greatly anticipated. Her body weakened but her spirit remained strong. Her faith in God sustained her and her friends and family supported her. Finally she was moved to the Christine Morrison Hospice in Mission where she survived for 5 weeks until succumbing to her disease on December 27, 4 days after holding her new grandson, Isaac, in her arms. She was surrounded by her family. She drew her last breath as they stood around her bed, holding her hands, stroking her head and singing the refrain “it is well, it is well, with my soul”. She died in peace, knowing all her children and in-laws loved the Lord as much as she did. She is now finally free of her pain and safe in the arms of Jesus. Our lives are empty without her, yet full of what she left us…. The example of a spirit that never ceased to hope, never ceased to love, and thanks be to God, will never cease to live. Rest Peacefully Sweet One. We will never forget you. Your PeteArrangements under the direction of Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.