Neeltje (Nellie) Berends

June 6, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Neeltje (Nellie) Berends. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 6, 2023, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, B.C., at the age of 83.
Nellie is predeceased by her loving husband, Gerry Berends, and will be lovingly remembered by her children, Andre, Bernie (Christina), Mike (Trish), Don (Judith), Trish (Jeff), and Tracey (Mick), and her 11 grandchildren, Katie (Graham), Kimberly (Mark), Jordan (Bethanie), Jessica, Elyssa (Andrew), Matthew, Olivia, Ella, Leah, Cohen, and Hanna, and her 4 great-grandchildren, Leo, Lucas, Landon, and Levi. She is survived by her two brothers, Dick and Gary (Sonja), and 4 sisters, Ida, Clara (Mike), Jennie (Ike), and Susan (Mike), and predeceased by her brothers Sid (Hennie), Pieter, George, and Leonard (Agnes).
Nellie was born in the village of Valom in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands on January 23, 1940. Along with her 10 siblings, she immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1950, initially to Lethbridge, before settling in Duncan in 1956. This is where she met Gerry, the love of her life! They had six children, whom they continually loved and supported. They were blessed with more than 60 years together before Gerry passed away in 2020.
Nellie was always active and loved gardening, baking, knitting, cleaning, and playing board games or cards with friends and family. She was passionate about bowling and volunteering at her church and the Bibles for Mission thrift store. She loved to travel, and whether it be across the world to Holland, Europe, or Australia, a day trip to Coombs, or a family reunion, she enjoyed it all.
Although she was taken much too soon, we trust that she is now resting safely in her Lord and Saviour’s arms. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.