Betsy Terpstra
April 10th, 2020
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After a full and long life, the Lord took home our dear Mother, Oma, great Oma and great great Oma on April 10, 2020, at the age of 96. Born in the Netherlands, Mom and Dad immigrated to Ladner, BC with their two oldest children, where they settled and added three more children to their family. Later they made their home in Langley. Predeceased by her husband Andy, after 47 happy years of marriage, Mom spent her final earthly years in Surrey. She leaves behind her children Ralph (Margaret), Greta (Sy), Evelyn (Gerry), Sonya (Jerry), Henry (Betty), 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren (her 3rd great great grandchild born the same day she passed away), and many extended family and friends.
Mom was the oldest of 14 children. Her early years were spent looking after her younger siblings and helping out with the busy household. Later with her own growing family, she was a very busy and dedicated homemaker cooking, canning, knitting, sewing and along with Dad, worked hard to provide a good solid home and family structure for their children. Despite the limited resources so common among young immigrant families at that time, they always remained steadfast in their commitment to their family with their strong faith. She loved writing letters, keeping a daily journal and filling her many photo albums with pictures of her family and extended family. Mom also loved travelling, enjoyed many trips with Dad and created interesting scrapbooks with pictures and memorabilia from their travels.
Mom made many new and dear friends during her time at Elim Village and CareLife Fleetwood. We wish to sincerely thank all the staff at CareLife Fleetwood for their outstanding compassionate care and support in her later years. Also a very special thank you to those at Fleetwood CRC who faithfully visited with her.
The graveside service took place at Langley Lawn Cemetery attended only by her immediate family, with Pastor Tom Bomhof of Fleetwood CRC officiating.
A time of celebrating Mom's life will follow when it is a safe time to do so.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a random act of kindness for those providing essential services during this pandemic.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
One of Mom's favourite Bible passages that always gave her comfort.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
Our condolences to the family. Tante Betsy was a pretty special aunt who enjoyed visits with family. I remember her always with a happy smile. She loved to surprise her Ontario family with a visit every now and then. Our oldest son was born on her birthday and for many years she remembered with a birthday card. She was a great tante!!
Sorry Greta for the lost of your mom my condolence to you and your family and brothers and sisters I do see a lot of you in your mom she had to be a great lady to have you for her daughter Do keep the good memories of her in your heart and she is with you all in spirits think of it you will meet again and all that love will be there when she greet you with her open arms at the heaven gates
Our sympathies to all of the family with the passing of Betsie Terpstra. May the Lord Bless you and comfort you at this difficult time. May God grant you you His peace. Love, Margaret and Fred
What a beautiful, heartfelt obituary. I carry with me many precious memories of time spent and conversations had. Her caring and dedicated family is truly her testament of a life blessed by our Lord. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all and I look forward to the day we can come together to celebrate Tante Betsy and a life dedicated to the Lord and lived to the fullest.
We are friends of Sy & Greta. We give the whole family our condolences and pray that God will comfort you. May He bring many good memories to mind. Peter & Trudy DeVries
Our sincere condolences to you all! She was blessed to have a wonderful caring family with her long life here on earth! Now may you have the comfort and peace in knowing she is now with her (our) Heavenly Father and family! May you also feel God's love as you continue on during this difficult time!
Our deepest sympathies to you all with the passing away of your Mom, Oma, Great and Great Great Oma. You will miss her a lot, and we pray that the Lord will comfort you all, and give you His strength, courage, and peace. What comforting texts you had for the Graveside Service -- texts that confirm in Whom we believe while He leaves us here to do His work, the way your Mom also spread the Good News to people around her!