Obituary of Baukje de Boer
“You can shed a tear that she is gone, Or smile because she has lived.”
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy we announce “Bea” has peacefully departed on Monday, May 4th, 2026, to reunite with her husband Dick (2010), son Richard (2004), her parents Reindeer and Antje Kuiken, and all her siblings; Henk, Affie, Jim, Jake, Jerry, John, Heidi, Adrian, and Antje. May it be a joyous reunion in Heaven.
Bea was the much-loved mother of Bill, Ann (Pete) Vitez, Rick (Marylynn), Harry, Teresa (Pete) Wilhelm, Evelyn, Allan (Lori), and Andy (Lorie). She treasured and had a special bond with each of her grandchildren; Taryn, Caitlyn, Barbara, Peter, Tiffany, Amanda, Craig, Hugh, Erin, Michael, Ryan, Jeremy, Kristen, Jordan, Gregory, Scott, Red, Derrick, and their partners. Bea delighted in the joy of being great grandmother of Jayden, Connor, Hailey, Annabelle, Elise, Kendyl, Allie, Brady, Riley, Abigail, Sarah, Kiera, Royce, Cohen, Hudson, Olsen, Guston, Elara, Wyatt, Parker, and Brinley. Survived by her in-laws Grace Kuiken, Lucy Haefner, Rini Black, and Judy de Boer and survived by many honorary family members.
Once you entered Bea’s life, you were considered family. As family, friend, newcomer or an old acquaintance, the door was always open to her home and heart. A life filled with much love and well lived.
Born in Tzummarum Friesland, the family immigrated from Holland to a farm on the outskirts of Strathroy. Here Bea me fellow Dutch immigrants and the love of life, Dick de Boer. They married September 30, 1952, being the first couple to marry in the East Christian Reform Church, Strathroy, and later made Strathroy their home.
In addition to her family and extensive circle of friends, Bea was active within her community, volunteering for Welcome Wagon, East Christian Reformed Church, Strathroy Lions Club, Preschool for special needs children, and Meals on Wheels.
Forty some years ago, when Dick joined the Strathroy Lions Club, Thursday night was Mom’s night alone. This became a good night where you could drop in for a quiet conversation, advice, or catchup on other’s lives. As Bea’s kids caught on, more gathered and soon “Thursday nights” became “Treasured Family Nights”, no longer quiet, but filled with love, laughter, sharing and good times.
As per Bea’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family service and inurnment Poplar Hill Cemetery, of Bea and Dick’s ashes, “Together Forever”, will take place on a future Thursday, when as Tradition, we all gather together.
The family wishes to thank DR’s Marcou, Parr, Viguera, the wonderful staff at Age Care Parkhill, VON at Trillium, neighbors, staff and friends at Trillium Village, Reverend Derek Bauma, Bea’s church family, and extended family and friends. We cannot thank you enough for your friendship and excellent care of Mom.
In lieu of flowers, donation to Strathroy Hospice, 8 Front Street East, Strathroy, ON N7G 1Y4 www.strathroyhospice.com or Strathroy Lions Club, 432 Albert Street, Strathroy, ON N7G 1W7 gratefully acknowledged.
Online condolences and donations may be shared through www.elliottmadill.com
ELLIOTT-MADILL FUNERAL HOME, Mount Brydges entrusted with arrangements.
A life well lived.
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