Obituary of Ineke Plaisier

Lieuwina Wilhelmina (Ineke) was born on November 12, 1930 in Ede, the Netherlands, to Jan and Griet Tulp. A striking young woman, Ineke caught the eye of a childhood family friend, Pieter Plaisier, who she married on June 23, 1954. Working as a nanny in Scotland and England prior to this time, Ineke began her married life in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where Piet had been working at Aramco Oil Refinery. Their first two children, Peggy and Marijke were born in Arabia, after which the young family emmigrated to Canada. Piet and Ineke spent the next ten years in Oakville, Ontario (1958-1968), where they had three more children - their only son, Mike, and twins, Henriette (Hetty) and Yvonne (Vonny). Piet and Ineke then moved to Montreal, where they spent the next ten years. A changing political climate and a new job opportunity brought them back to Saudi Arabia, where they spent five years in Jeddah. This move was followed by a few more relocations to San Diego, Chicago, and Alabama. Upon Piet’s retirement, Ineke was thrilled to move to Strathroy in 1993, where they could be more centrally located to their many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Ineke loved her family with steadfast devotion and she welcomed their spouses and partners, and later her step-grandchildren, as her own. Ineke will be remembered for her warm smile, her enthusiasm for life, her genuine love of God, her cheerful commitment to her large family, her church, her Christian school community and, of course, her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. She was as passionate about hockey as she was about her legendary gardens. But what bloomed brightest was her love for Piet, with whom she was married for 65 years. Ineke (Oma) was known for her wonderful hospitality and her amazing ability to make a friend in five minutes. She never tired of telling stories, sharing her faith, and building relationships in the communities that she served. Ineke lived a full life of 89 years and she would have loved that we were planning a surprise 90th Birthday party for her. In the end, she was the one who surprised us, by slipping away into Heaven a little earlier than we thought she would. We take comfort in our belief that she is smiling down at us now and singing hymns to God, just as we sang them to her in her final moments. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28 Pieter Plaisier Peggy and Marv DeVries Carla and Brandon Huls, Maelle, Declan and Nolan Ryan and Heather DeVries, Bennett, Whitney and Zachary Justin and Angela DeVries, Charlie and Dane Mike and Krista DeVries, and baby DeVries, due in April Marijke and Elzo Tenyenhuis Jeannette and Dan Moes, Hudson, Isabella, Adele, and John Liz and Kevin Hoekzema, Hart, Ford, Miller and Dutch Mike and Helen Plaisier Christina and Matt Rosenberger Peter and Katie, Micah and Haley Julie and Spencer Wikkerink Henriette and Mark Price Tim Snieder (partner Ramata Cisse), Angela Snieder (partner Matt Tarini), Everett Snieder, Anthony Price, James and Brittany Price, Juliana Price (partner Josh Anderson), Rachel Price (partner Owen Powell). Yvonne and Sam Linton, Kyle and Nico Funeral arrangements made through Denning’s of Strathroy. Visitation on Sunday, March 8th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Westmount Christian Reformed Church, 405 Drury Lane, Strathroy, Ontario, N7G-3G2. Private family interment on Monday, March 9th at 11:00 am. Celebration of life to follow at Westmount Christian Reformed Church on Monday, March 9th at 1:00 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Strathroy Community Christian School. Online donations and condolences can be made at www.strathroyfuneralhome.com.