Ellen Oost passed away May 28, 2024, Bountiful, Utah, in the company of her loving family. She died exactly 92 years after she was born in the Netherlands on May 28, 1932. She was the first-born child of Tjerk and Antje Van der Veen.
Ellen, “Ellie”, immigrated from the Netherlands to Canada with her family when she was still in her teens. It was in Canada where she met the love of her life, Andrew Oost. They were married in 1955 and immigrated to the United States in 1962 after the birth of their two daughters.
Ellie was known to all as the kindest and most caring woman on the planet. She never let the hardships of life affect her positive outlook. Even after she suffered a devastating fall in February 2020 and had to live with her daughters, she maintained her sunny outlook on life and enjoyed being able to help “her girls” around the house.
She accepted her daughters’ friends as her own children. She was always worried about the people who had to work outside in the winter; the homeless; and especially children who were not loved or cared for. Anyone who visited Ellie was treated to a”drinky-poo” in the back yard along with advice too good not to follow. She was unconditional in her love and acceptance of others. And that is the greatest gift she could give and the most important lesson she taught to all who knew her.
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:21
Ellie is survived by her daughters Diana Parrish (Rob) and Debbie Smith (Paul); honorary daughter Pamela Tsakalos (T.J.); grandchildren Chelsea Angell (Brian), Chloe Brookham (Ross), Jared Parrish, Alisa Breton Parrish, Ken Parrish (Amanda), Beth Case (Lance), Dan Parrish (Mercede); honorary granddaughter Mary Tess Cary (Ryan); and nine great-grand-children.
She is also survived by her siblings, Wytze (Anna), Ypie (late Eloi LeBlanc), Hiske (Robert Burghgraef), Hilly (late Ray Hebert), Klaske (late Rudy Lorenz), Jacob (Sharon), Nancy (Jack Lalonde), Baukje, Christine (Tom Dickenson), and John (Maureen).
Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Oost; parents; siblings, Abraham (Baukje), Imkje (late Heinz Walkham) and Annie (Ray Vanier).
The family offers immense thanks to the Senior Group at Life in Christ Christian reformed church where Ellie was a lifelong member.
Additionally, the family thanks the staff at Arosa, who provided loving respite care for Ellie in the last few months of her life and acknowledges the amazing home hospice care provided to Ellie by the team at Symbii.
Thanks to all her loved ones, Ellie enjoyed her entire ninety-two years of life right up until the day she passed.
A graveside service followed by a reception is planned for June 27, 2024, at 10 AM, Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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