It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved mother, wife and Oma, passed away January 1, 2026, a month shy of her 92nd birthday. Thea was born in the Netherlands. She was the second eldest of 11 children. Married Martin and shortly after immigrated to Canada and a family was started. Thea leaves behind her husband Martin (68 years married), children Yvonne (Fred), Karen (Ian), Martin, Annette (Peter), Andre (Kristina), Frances, who passed away and 8 grandchildren. We’re sure Mom is busy trying to teach whoever to knit, crochet and sew in heaven. She will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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26 Responses
Oom Martin en familie onze oprechte deelneming met het verlies van tante Thea heel veel sterkte toegewenst met dit verlies
Dear Yvonne , Many condolences on the death of your mother. She will be missed by many. I am sure that you will be heartbroken by her passing. If there is anything I can do to help , please let me know.
Fondly. Maida
My mom, Thea, filled the world with warmth through her hands and her heart. She was always making something, knitting, sewing, crocheting, baking, quilting, gardening, and creating gifts that carried her love into other people’s lives. She could take a simple box of donated yarn and turn it into something beautiful, and her quilts in particular brought comfort far beyond our family.
Just as lasting was the way she welcomed people. Family gatherings grew and changed over the years, but she always made room at the table, and she had a gift for striking up a friendly conversation with anyone. Her home felt brighter because she was in it.
She also had a true green thumb. With intuition and care, she brought flowers, vegetables, and even struggling plants back to life, and her garden became a source of joy and abundance for all of us.
I miss her deeply, and I am grateful for her creativity, generosity, and the steady love she gave our family.
We have been neighbours for many years and enjoyed our many chats with Thea and Martin when we were out on our walks. In December of 2024, my mom shared a room with Thea at Victoria General Hospital. We will never forget Thea’s incredible kindness to mom, and we really enjoyed our many visits with Thea during that period of time. She was a lovely person. Our condolences to all her family,
So sorry to hear of Thea’s passing. I sat beside her at our Blankets for Canada knitting group and always enjoyed our chats. I also have a couple of the dolls she knitted and will cherish them in her memory.
Dear Uncle Martin and family,
Our thoughts are with you as you mourn the loss of Aunt Thea.
May you find peace and comfort in the memories you shared. What you keep in your heart is something you never lose.
I will always remember her radiant smile. I noticed that even as a child.
With love, much love and strength, much strength.