On the morning of May 4, 2024, Willem Vanderhor passed away peacefully at Lion’s Gate Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Willem (Bill, William, Wim or Dutchie) was born in Rotterdam, Holland and made his way to Canadian adventures in 1964. He settled down in the beautiful town of Squamish after spending time in other parts of BC, Vanderhoof and Prince George. He suffered his train accident in 1968 while working for BC Rail in Prince George and returned to Vancouver for his rehabilitation.
In March 1977 while travelling to Peru in search of special orchids from the Amazon, he met the love of his life Marianella Bernabé. They married in December of 1979 and welcomed their daughter Janet Westcott in January 1981.
Willem was a lover of animals, naming the cows he worked with up north, making friends with the rotcat (rotten cat) and always carrying liver treats for the dogs he met on his walks. He was known as Orchid Dutchie around the small town of Squamish for his weekly plant care column and was always surrounded with tropical plants. He volunteered his time to the Knights of Columbus, an organization close to his heart.
He is predeceased by his mom Petronella De Jong and his dad Willem Van Der Hor. He is survived by his sisters Elly Timmerman - Van Der Hor and Kiera Van Der Hor, nephew Laurens, his wife Marianella, daughter Janet (Beau) and grandchildren Claire and Cole. He will be missed by many, including the Hoekstra Family who were considered chosen family.
A Memorial Service will be held at St Paul’s Squamish Nation Catholic Church in North Vancouver, BC on May 25, 2024 at 11am.
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