May 9, 1935 – March 21, 2025
Lamberdina “Dinie” Petronella VanderWerf, born May 9th, 1935, in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Dinie passed away peacefully on March 2025 at Simcoe Hospice in Barrie.
Predeceased in 2009 by her loving husband of 55 years Peter Vander Werf.
Proud mother of her six daughters Betsy, Tieneka, Trudy (Gord), Anita (George), Audriana and Hetty (Peter).
She will be remembered with love and affection by her 15 grandchildren Piet (Emily), Monica, Patrick (Caroline), Christopher (Kate), Kyle, Benjamin (Stephanie), Jesse (Kenneth), Nicolas (Jeralynn), Elise, Hannah (Matthew), Avery (Preston), Bennett (Holly), Megan, Athan, and Cecilia, and her 14 great grandchildren Lamberdina, Van, Arabella, River, Makayla, Landon, James, Nolan, Audrina, Auston, Isaiah, Isla, Sophia and Louisa.
Predeceased by her parents Wilhelmus and Hendrika Vonk as well as her siblings Piet, Mies, Trudy, Wilhemina, Anne, Ria, Betsy, Nelly and Theo. Dinie is survived by her younger sisters Toni van Hezewyk and Joanne Barnes.
After the war, in 1950, Dinie travelled with her parents and most of her siblings to Canada, aboard the Volendam ship, and ultimately settled in Toronto. This is where she met the love of her life, Peter Vander Werf. They married in 1954 and were blessed with 55 years together.
Dinie was a lifelong volunteer and gave her whole heart and soul to her work. In Toronto she volunteered for the Intellectually Disabled, Kiwanis Club and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. When she moved to Newmarket, Dinie volunteered at the Lions Club, Catholic Women’s League, and Southlake Regional Health Centre, which lead to fulfilling her true passion as a Palliative Care volunteer for over 31 years. Over the years, Dinie was recognized with several awards, including the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, and the Citizen of Character Award. When Dinie moved to Tollendale in Barrie in 2022, she realized how much she missed working at the bedside of those who did not have family. She sought opportunities at the neighboring LTC facility Mill Creek and assisted there until she was no longer able. Dinie was awarded Volunteer of the Year a month before she passed.
Dinie was known and loved for her caring, warmth, generosity, gratitude, kindness, positivity, sweet disposition and astounding gift to deeply connect with everyone she met.
Dinie’s family extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at Hospice Simcoe for their kindness and exceptional care during her stay.
We also want to thank Dr. Fejes, from RVH Oncology Clinic for her special care, and support throughout this difficult time.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 at the St. Mary’s Parish, 65 Amelia St., Barrie, from 9:00 AM until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Please join the family in the Church Hall after the Funeral Mass to celebrate Dinie’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Simcoe, Barrie. Online condolences and memories may be shared via www.steckleygooderham.com