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
Lieve familie van Lydia zulke mooie lieve en leuke herinnering aan haar , omdat ik het kleine zusje van Jes ben en zij Lydia en Jes wel op mijn zus Truus en broers Adriaan en Hans moesten passen.
Er werden dan altijd leuke dingen bedacht om te doen zoals een wandeling in de waterlijding duinen en vele andere activiteiten ,als zij Holland bezocht was wist zij het altijd zo te regelen dat er een moment haar te zien ,
Mijn gemeende condoleance voor haar Familie hier in Nederland en ook de familie in Canada
What sad news it was when we heard that Lydia had passed away. So hard to believe.
I met Lydia in 1974 when she was my daughter’s preschool teacher but we had already heard about each other through friends in Holland.
I will cherish all the special moments we have shared. All the fun we have had playing tennis, skiing Mount Seymour, and our Stitch and Bitch meetings.
We explored the Sunshine Coast and later Vancouver Island when Roland and Lydia had moved there.
I will miss her stories, her enthusiasm, and her sense of humor. She always cared how my family was doing and remembered every little detail of our get togethers.
Rest In Peace Lydia, you will never be forgotten.
Our condolences to Roland, Clifford, Brian and families.
I got to know Lydia when I first got married in 1973. Cliff and Bryan were young boys at that time. Lydia and Roland were always hospitable and we enjoyed their friendship. We kept in touch when my husband’s employer sent him to work in Kitchener, Ontario and Lydia even came to visit us there. I was invited by Lydia after the break-up of my family and my husband’s moving back to Holland. I just had had appendicitis and Lydia took good care of me, even though she had back issues herself. It was as if we had never been away from each other and her comforting words meant a lot to me. After the death of my husband in Holland, I moved back from Kitchener to Victoria and although Lydia and I did not see each other that much any more, we kept in contact with the occasional visit and email. I have always enjoyed Lydia’s friendship, her cooking and stories, sometimes accompanied by her autoharp, her cross stitch masterpieces and quilts. I am so sorry, Roland, Clifford and Bryan and your families for your loss, but I have faith in the promise at Acts 24:15 that there is going to be a resurrection and we will be able to see her again right here on earth (Psalm 37:11 and 29).
Dear family and friends of Lydia,
My sincerest condolances to all who knew and loved Lydia. What a loss… Lydia brightened the world with her generous smile, her positive take on life, the stories she told, her sincere interest in other people, her warm personality.
She will be missed dearly.
Wishing you all strength and love. Lydia’s energy will be with you always.
Lieve Lydia, rust zacht, mooi lief mens. En zoek je ons af en toe op in onze dromen?
We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Thinking of you all,
Eva and Rob
My wife Lorna and I were so sad to hear of Lydia’s passing.
She was such a bright spark and full of life.
We remember fondly the times she would have our youngest son along with her grandson Mitchell for the day when they were children, occupying them with art and general fun.
She will be truly missed.
Dear Roland, Cliff, Maki, Brian and Lisa and the four grandchildren.
Lydia was my oldest and dearest friend and we knew each other from our childhood. Our parents were close friends and we saw each other every week. Lydia and I went to Switzerland for a few komt is. For years we kept in touch and Lydia and I went to Berlin for holidays and also to Vienna. She stand with me for 1 Kunt. We always had a lot of fun and I treasure our beautiful moments. I have some pieces from all the hand made works she made like the quilt
for Christmas and the lovely blanket for my granddaughter’s birthday. Lieve, lieve vriendin ik koester alle fantastische momenten en zal je gulle lach enorm missen. (Dear, dear friend, I cherish all the fantastic moments and will miss your generous smile so much.) See you in my dreams.
Dearest Uncle Roland,Cliff,Brian and Family….
I’m so thankful I got to connect with her,these past few years.She basically looked the same as from when I was a little girl.You aswell,Uncle Roland.
I loved her stories about my Mom and Dad.Her stories of us kids,when we were little.She was always a special lady to Rick and I.I will always be thankful for her being apart of my life.In the early years and then in these past few years,when we reconnected.
All my Love,Leslie Campioni
Lydia will always be in my memory alive with mischief, sparkling eyes and a smile that lit the room.
I dated her “Cleeefford” as a teenager- he brought me home to meet his Mom. Lydia was a teacher’s aide in Gibsons and was so full of excitement for working with children. She showed me art projects, her needle points, family photos. I was instantly accepted and remember warm hugs and her sincere interest in my life.
I treasured those visits when she made special hot chocolate for us “girls” in tiny china cups with small silver spoons. It was an event!
One summer she decided to swim from Keats Island to Gibsons harbour. Cliff was doing the swim too and I somehow got roped into being the coach boat for them. She was amazing!
I am so sorry that the world has lost someone as special as Lydia, but know that her unique stamp has been pressed on many, many hearts.
So sorry to hear about the passing of such a lovely lady and a sorority sister. She always had a smile for me whenever we met. Go in peace.