On the morning of September 3, 2022 Lydia de Schepper passed away at the age of 85 at home. Lydia had just celebrated her 62nd wedding anniversary with her husband, Roland the previous day. In addition to Roland, Lydia is also survived by her sons, Clifford (Maki) and Brian (Lisa), and her four grandchildren, Peter (Meghan), Mitchell (Alisa), Desmond and Lucas.
Lydia was born the oldest of 5 siblings and raised in Haarlem, Holland; she survived the hardships of WW2 in her early childhood. She adored her father who tragically passed away when she was just 17 years old creating a wound that would stay with her, her entire life. Lydia met Roland in 1952 and immigrated to Canada in 1960. Lydia and Roland started their life together in Canada living in the Pit Polder (near Pitt Meadows, BC), prior to living in North Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast before eventually moving near Victoria, BC where she has resided over the last 33 years.
Lydia loved children, which was a large part of why she chose to become a special-needs, early childhood educator. Helping special needs children was one of the many unique gifts that Lydia shared with the world. She positively impacted hundreds of children throughout her career. She also had a love for music, often playing her autoharp which perfectly complimented her work with children. A cross-stitch expert she won various prizes and accolades for the many pieces she created. Throughout her entire life she loved to travel and see the world; in particular she made many trips back to her homeland always keeping in touch with family and friends. She was a great cook and loved to entertain friends and family at her legendary dinner parties. In more recent years she developed a strong bond with all of her grandchildren.
Lydia’s incredible positive energy left a lasting impression. Her passing leaves a void to everyone who knew her; her radiating smile will be missed by all.
A Celebration of Lydia’s life was held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens on Monday September 19th, 2022 at 10:00am. Click the image below to watch a recording of the service.
Click the image below to watch a video tribute of Lydia.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
24 Responses
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. The loss of Lydia will leave a great void in all of the lives she touched.
My condolences to Roland, Brian, Clifford and their families.
Dear Lydia,
Without you the world is a different place.
See you in my dreams!
Love, Caroline
When I was 14 years old Lydia and I met at school, later on followed the same education.
The teachers wouldn’t let us sit next to each other, we had to much fun and liked to play pranks.
We had a wonderful time, dance lessons, boyfriends, parties, we shared joys and sorrows.
It was a hard time for Lydia and her family when her father passed away.
When Roland went to Canada Lydia followed later, together they worked hard for their future.
Children were born. I admire the way they made it work. Her perseverance, positive an cheerful character
surrounded them with lots of warmth. Aat and I, and later Caroline and I, experienced that when we visited
Roland and Lydia in Canada, she went above and beyond to make her guests and friends feel at home.
Always creative, living life to the fullest. Didn’t complain about her always aching back.
She was happy with her family, her sons, their partners and her grandchildren.
Lately Lydia was completely dependent on Roland.
Luckily she has now been spared further suffering.
My deepest condolences to her loved ones.
Dag Lieverd,
Wat zal je worden gemist.
Maar niemand kan ons de goede herinneringen afnemen.
Rust zacht.
Je Jesje
Lydia was the oldest friend of my mother, Jes van Tienhoven. When I was a little girl she was my mothers friend: “Tante Lydia from Canada”. I loved it when she came to visit us when she was in Holland. She was great fun to play with and told me the most amazing stories.
When I was in my twenties mu mother Jes and I visited Lydia and Roland in their beautiful home near Victoria. She took such good care of us, we had a wonderful week. my deepest condolences to Roland, Brian and Clifford. I wish them the strength to cope with this massive loss!
Always when lydia said goodbye to me her words were:
“See you in my dreams”
I will always remember that, I will always remember her.
Lydia and Roland have been our best friends since we met in North Vancouver in 1962.As recent immigrants from the Netherlands we had many similar interests and experiences in those first starter years. As our families grew, we celebrated many happy occasions and mourned lost members as well. All these years, with Lydia always the upbeat fun-loving lady, even though she was often in considerable pain due to her back issues. And wow, her dinner parties were always a treat. She will be missed, our tough, loving, funny friend. We wish Roland and all his boys strength and comfort in the fact that she was very proud and so in love with all of them…………”. Als leven lijden wordt, is rusten goed.”
Lydia was a beautiful member of my sorority Gamma Eta Master. When I joined this chapter 6 years ago, Lydia made me feel very special and welcomed me to the group. She was a special lady who took a sincere interest in everyone she met.
The chapter will really miss her and her beautiful smile. Our love and support go out to Roland and family .
Ik kende Lydia al sinds 1954 zij behoorde bij ons clubje van vier vrienden en 4 vriendinnen zij ging Roland ,mijn beste vriend, achterna naar Canada. Pauline en ik hebben Roland en Lydia diverse malen ontmoet en bij elkaar gelogeerd eenmaal bij ons bezoek in Canada en meerdere malen in Nederland en België. De laatste jaren was het contact meer per Email.We zullen Lydia’s babbel missen. Sterkte toegewenst Roland en Kinderen van Gerard (Gait voor Lydia).
A beautiful photo and tribute to this lovely lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
I met Lydia in Holland when she visited her sister Pien. I rememder her as a positive woman, a lot of humor and interested in other people. It was nice to meet her.
Iwish you all a beautifull day , to honor her on 19 september in Canada as well as in Holland.
Jantien ( friend from Pien)
I believe I met Lydia in the summer of 1983 when travelling with a friend to France. Lydia happened to be on the same flight and recognized my friend as one of her son’s high school teachers. She invited us to stay at her Haarlem home before we continued travel to Bretagne. The following school year, Lydia and I ended up teaching at the same elementary school, cementing our friendship. Lydia is as to me dear as my sisters and my aunts; she will be deeply missed, and remembered always.